Melbourne baby boy laughs after and walks after trying prosthetic leg for the first time

It fits perfectly! Baby boy smiles happily and takes his first steps after fitting his new leg

  • Baby boy born with missing limb
  • Tried on prosthetic leg

This is the adorable moment when a baby boy who was born with half his leg missing tries on a prosthesis for the first time.

McKenzie Stanforth, one, was born with fibula hemimelia, meaning he was missing her fibula and a toe in one leg, while in the other leg, his tibia was half the size of the other.

Shortly after his birth, his parents, Cassie and Luke, made the difficult decision to have his leg amputated below the knee.

Now his parents have shared a video of him trying out his prosthetic leg for the first time.

The clip shows Luke putting the leg on McKenzie, before standing up and giggling.

McKenzie Stanforth, one, was born with fibula hemimelia, meaning he was missing her fibula and a toe in one leg, while in the other leg, his tibia was half the size of the other.

He then manages to get up – leaning on a coffee table – before wondering about his three-year-old nephew.

Cheeky, the little one then playfully kicks his cousin before giggling away.

“A beautiful moment I’ll never forget,” Melbourne-based Cassie said of the clip as she posted it to TikTok.

Hundreds of people quickly reacted to the footage, describing it as “cute” and “heartwarming.”

His parents, Cassie and Luke, made the difficult decision shortly after his birth to have his leg amputated below the knee

His parents, Cassie and Luke, made the difficult decision shortly after his birth to have his leg amputated below the knee

WHAT IS FIBULAR HEMIMELY?

Fibular hemimelia is a rare disease that occurs in 1 in 40,000 births, according to American limb specialist Dr. Dror Paley.

The rare condition causes partial or complete absence of the fibula, shortening of the tibia, and deformity of the foot.

“We treat the foot deformity with the super-ankle procedure and combine it with lengthening surgery,” says Dr. Paley on his website.

“This is the cutest thing ever, and what a little pride that he’s showing off his prosthesis,” said one.

“Well what a little soldier, that smile on his face the whole time Daddy puts on his prosthesis,” another added.

“Omg that’s so beautiful, he’s so happy to show everyone he’s just like her…Beautiful,” wrote a third.

“So innocent the giggles at the end melt my heart,” commented one.

Hundreds of people quickly reacted to the footage, describing it as 'cute' and 'heartwarming'

Hundreds of people quickly reacted to the footage, describing it as ‘cute’ and ‘heartwarming’

Talking to the AustralianCassie previously revealed how she made the decision to amputate McKenzie’s legs last year.

They had the choice of amputation or an extension process, which can be painful

“The extension is a painful process throughout his childhood until he is 16 and he stops growing, which could have ended in an amputation anyway,” she said.