Local 10-year-old defies medical odds by running 5K
ORLANDO, Fla. (WKRC) - A 10-year-old Hamilton girl is defying the odds. On Friday morning, she ran a 5K at Disney World, but 10 years ago, her mother was told the little girl may never walk.
Hannah Herman’s mother says her daughter’s progress is amazing.
“She came home and we thought she would walk with a limp, if at all, and we've had years of races and tasks and therapy. She used a walker for a long time, and, all of a sudden, it came together. She had coordination and strength and endurance,” said Erin Herman.
Hannah's progress is on full display at Disney World. The 10-year-old ran with her mother in the Disney Princess 5K.
"It's actually very fitting this race happened this month because this is our 10-year Hannahversary,” said Erin.
Ten years ago, the Herman family adopted Hannah from Kazahkstan after she was left at an orphanage. Born with a club foot, doctors said Hannah may never walk, but at age 2 that all changed.
"All of a sudden, she went from walking to running and swimming and everything else,” said Erin.
Hannah's miracle doesn't stop at running. The fourth-grader says a triathlon is next. Her favorite part is swimming -- a sport she's set records in.
“I’ve broken some in butterfly, a few in backstroke, some in freestyle, except I’ve never broken any in breaststroke,” said Hannah.
But, for Hannah and her family, it's not about the medals.
“It’s the things we say yes to that change the course of our lives, and you can look at any child at any point in time and say her story does not have to end this way. Any child, all they need is a family and love, and, if they have that, everything else can be overcome,” said Herman.
Hannah is a fourth-grader at St. Peter in Chains in Hamilton.
