Little girl amazes doctors by learning how to walk again

As Erica Scoffings battled for life, surgeons told her distraught parents they would have to amputate her feet and her right hand to save her.

The infection had destroyed the tissue in her legs, toes and fingers but her parents Michael and Michelle Scoffings pleaded 
with doctors to try to save her limbs.

Erica was in hospital for two weeks, her legs swathed in bandages, as she slowly recovered. Since then she has had three further lengthy spells in hospital for painful skin graft operations on her legs.

Now, seven months later, she has taken her first steps and is able to walk several yards.

Mrs Scoffings, from Chesterfield, said: “Erica is a typical three-year-old girl, full of fun and life, even after all she has been through.

“She’s getting stronger every day and, although she faces more skin grafts as she gets older, she is looking forward to starting nursery at Hasland Infant School next month.”

Mr Scoffings added: “Erica has amazed everyone, especially the doctors who gave her just three hours to live when we took her to Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

“When she was fighting for her life we promised her a big party when she got home, complete with a horse and carriage ride, and that’s what we did.

“Erica was the star.”