The city opened their wallets and helped fund a trip to America for a "life-changing" surgery.

Mia had the operation in Florida in January 2019 after her family raised $300,000 to cover the cost.

The now seven-year-old was born with a congenital femoral deficiency, a condition that caused her hip and femur to be underdeveloped at birth.

The result is that her left leg is significantly shorter than her right.

Her mum, Leila Bright, said the surgery rotated her leg backwards and created something of a new hip joint. Rotating her foot allowed her ankle to act as a knee, and now she has a new prosthesis.

"We had to have two subsequent surgeries since because of an issue with the screws, which we weren't expecting," she said.

"But, our surgeons here kindly said they would help, so we didn't have to go all the way back to the United States.

"We have been monitoring that, and that's really been the biggest issue. She's been learning to walk again, had her first day of school and all through COVID."

Ms Bright said she was incredibly lucky to have family and friends who rallied around her and began fundraising when they found out about the trip they would need to take.

But, in life after the "big adventure", as they called it, Ms Bright has realised the toll it took.

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"It was a lot mentally and physically, but we had to do what we had to do," she said.

"I think now I am still coming down from that anxiety level and coming back to normality in a way. It has been a big journey."

Ms Bright said Mia has always been an incredible child who took everything in her stride.

"I think Mia has what it takes, but obviously, she has hard days," she said.

"Now that she is getting older, she recognises that she is different from most of peers, but we let her know it's OK to be angry and upset, but we can't change it, so we have to make the best of it."

While the family no longer live in Wagga, Ms Bright said it will always be a home for them, and they could never forget the generosity shown by their loved ones and complete strangers.

"The Wagga community always rallied around when they need to," she said. "And, they did for Mia. No matter where we end up for whatever reason, we will love Wagga."

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