Alissa Sizemore was playing outside with her siblings one night in May 2014 when a UPS truck ran over her right leg. According to KSL.com, the 7-year-old's foot couldn't be saved.
At the time, Alissa's dance teacher told the local news outlet, "She'll dance again." Mom Heather Sizemore recalls Alissa's determination to do so. When the mom took Alissa's sisters to their dance studio last summer for dance team placements, the little girl handed her mom her crutches and started to dance. "She hopped to the middle of the room and gave it her all. She wasn't going to let anybody hold her back," Heather told PEOPLE.
Members of the dancer's hometown raised enough money for the little girl to get a prosthetic leg in September 2014 -- a big contribution came from an 11-year-old girl who sold her prize pig to donate $10,000 to the Sizemore family. After receiving the limb, Alissa started rehearsing for her dance studio's recital.
"Dancing has been my favorite thing since I was 4. I don't have part of my leg, but I can't let that stop me. I still want to dance," Alissa told PEOPLE.
In late February, the now 8-year-old took the stage to perform a beautiful and inspiring routine to Colbie Caillat's "Try," and received a standing ovation.
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