AN eight-year-old girl who lost her lower limbs to meningitis, has realised her true capabilities after a trip of a lifetime to swim with dolphins in Florida.

Charlotte Nott, from Horspath, near Oxford, visited the United States with charity Dreamflight in October, to visit the Sunshine State's world-famous theme parks.

Mum Jenny Daniels said the 10-day trip had helped her daughter realise what she could achieve despite her disabilities.

Charlotte had parts of her lower arms and legs amputated in 2010 after contracting the disease.

Ms Daniels said: "The Dreamflight trips are all about the kids being independent, and when Charlotte got back she said she did not miss us and had wanted to stay.

"To be able to go off at eight years-old as one of the youngest in the group and cope like she did was amazing.

"She has come a really long way.

"She was independent before the trip but I have noticed that she seems more grown up and has more zest.

"She is talking about where she wants to go next. She has more ambition now.

"Even though she is in a wheelchair she is thinking 'I can go there or do that'."

Charlotte, who uses prosthetic limbs, spent a night at the Hilton hotel at Heathrow Airport before flying out to Florida.

Dreamflight takes children with serious illnesses or disabilities for the 'trip of a lifetime' to Orlando in Florida with the aim of helping them to develop independence, confidence and a new outlook on life.

Ms Daniels said her daughter had also benefited from being with other children who had been through similar tribulations.

The 35-year-old said: "It was completely amazing to see all those kids. It is so inspirational.

"You think you cannot do this or that, but when you see the kids with all types of disabilities sat on the plane it is amazing.

"I am in awe of Charlotte and super proud of her.

"She has made new friends for life that she will keep in touch with.

"They maybe all fell more accepted because they are more in the same boat as each other."

Charlotte, a pupil at St Francis Church of England Primary School in Cowley, is enjoying the rest of the Christmas holiday following her travels.

She may still receive new 'bionic' hands made by a private company using a 3D printer, although hope that she might have got them by the end of this year have now faded.

In the past her family have been helped with the cost of buying prosthetic limbs by fundraisers. Ms Daniels said she appreciated all the support they had received – including from Dreamflight.

She said: "The support we have got has been amazing and, having seen what Dreamflight do, I would love to work for them or do some fundraising for them.

"Earlier this month her chaperones from the trip to Florida came to see her and brought some Christmas presents.

"I hope they would have got a lot out of the trip too."