Flesh-eating disease could not stop Bowen’s dreamImage source, Welsh AthleticsImage caption, Ellie Bowen is the youngest member of Wales’ athletics squad at Glasgow ByAndrew RichardsBBC Sport WalesPublished13 minutes agoEllie Bowen was just 13 months old when her life changed for ever. She was diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis, a rare but severe bacterial infection that destroys tissue beneath the skin.Her parents feared the worst, that they may even lose their baby girl, and while she survived, her right leg was amputated.Now 17, Ellie has known no difference and, as the youngest member of the Welsh athletics squad, is set to make her Commonwealth Games debut.”Because I had my leg amputated at such a young age, it was just normal to me,” she stated. “As I grew older, I think I did see myself as different but then sports made me see further and showed me I can do sport just like anyone else. “It may look different but the feeling is the same.”Born in Caerphilly, Bowen will realise a childhood dream by representing her country at the Commonwealth Games in the seated shot put.”I’m really proud of myself. It’s been my dream since I was four or five. I stated I want to do sports and represent Wales and that’s what I’m doing,” she stated.Wales at the Commonwealth Games
