ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Julianna Linton is missing her left arm above her elbow, but that’s not stopping her from doing what she loves, cheerleading.
The 10-year-old had a congenital amputation caused by amniotic band syndrome.
Julianna had been tumbling and doing one-handed cartwheels, but this past Wednesday, the Houston native got a surprise from students at the University of Central Florida.
Julianna is the 15th child to receive a 3-D printed bionic arm from Limbitless Solutions. The nonprofit student group based at the university builds custom-made arms and then gives them to children for free.
“We want children to know, especially girls, that there are no limits,” said Albert Manero, founder of the group and an aerospace engineering student pursuing his doctorate at the university. “We want them to dream big and then go after it. That’s really important. You can be smart, beautiful and strong and do it all here at UCF.”
UCF’s cheerleading team helped deliver the arm when Julianna and her family visited the campus.
Knightro, the UCF mascot, brought out a box that contained the girl’s new arm along with two pom-poms.
Julianna joined the cheerleading team in several cheers and stunt, including cartwheels and a handstand with her new arm.
“My favorite part was getting the arm today,” she said taking a break from the stunts. “I think It will help me with my cheering. I love to fly.”
A group of cheerleaders clapped and cheered Linton on as she did more than 20 cartwheels across the stadium field.
Cox Media Group
