# Carbon Fiber Legs Young Meningitis Victim Can Now Walk By Geebee Micro | Published 2009-04-18 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Meningitis-Carbon-Fiber-Legs References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2009/04/16/5-year-old-gets-racing-legs) & [mirror](http://www.mirror.co.uk/life-style/real-life/2008/09/15/little-girl-who-s-beaten-meningitis-and-now-starts-school-115875-20737870) In a great human interest story mixed in with technology, young victim of meningitis Ellie May Challis can now walk comfortably on her new carbon fiber legs, as her family, friends and neighbors have worked hard to raise the money so she could get them. The usual prostheses for the little girl never really fit well, and were extremely painful for Ellie May to wear and walk in. From all across Essex, kind and determined people responded to the costly needs and helped with a variety of fundraisers to pay for the carbon fiber legs, raising over £50,000. Carbon fiber legs are the same type you see when Olympic sprinters can be seen running in them. Ellie May will have to have the legs replaced every two years. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 18% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Carbon Fiber Prosthetics:** Development of more comfortable and affordable carbon fiber prosthetics to meet the needs of those who require them. - **Community Crowdfunding:** Innovations in community crowdfunding platforms and techniques to make essential medical treatments more accessible for those in need. - **Advancements in Prosthetic Fitting:** Technological innovations that improve the fitting and comfort of prosthetic limbs to enhance mobility and independence for amputees. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Healthcare:** Development of better prosthetic technology has significant implications for the healthcare industry, including medical device manufacturers and healthcare providers. - **Non-profit Organizations:** Non-profit organizations can help create a platform that is solely dedicated to donating prosthesis to those who cannot afford them. - **Sportswear:** Sportswear manufacturers can implement carbon fiber used for prosthetic development into their athletic shoes, making them more durable and maximizing performance. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Celebrated Athletic Prosthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ffate.md) - [Bird-Inspired Mobility Crutches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carbo-crutch.md) - [Bionic Knee Prostheses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/httpswwwmediamitedu.md) - [Lattice Orthopaedic Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cast21-1.md) - [Senior-Suited Balance Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carbon-fiber-balance-bike.md) - [Adjustable Fracture Braces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bracesys-kevlar.md) - [Ultra-Lightweight Electric Wheelchairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightweight-electric-wheelchair.md) - [Adaptive Swim Prosthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-nimble.md) - [Connected Kids Recovery Braces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cknee-brace.md)