Baby Billy survives against the odds after weighing 1lb 10oz at birth
Meet Billy Todd – a little fighter who defied all the odds to celebrate his first birthday at the weekend.
Billy weighed just 1lb 10oz when he came into the world 15 weeks premature.
Doctors gave him a 50 per cent chance of survival when he was born, and he went on to spend the first four months of his life battling for survival in hospital.
Now he is fighting fit and enjoying life at home in Leicester with mum and dad, Claire and Lee, and his six brothers and sisters.
He celebrated his first birthday on Saturday.
Claire, 33, said: "I can't put into words how I felt when he was born. I was just panicking, wondering whether he would be okay.
"We went to see him every single day while he was in hospital. Christmas was horrible.
"It's amazing he's here and if it wasn't for all the staff at the hospital, I don't think we'd have him here today.
"They were fantastic, I couldn't thank them enough."
Billy was eventually allowed home on January 10.
The family were planning to visit the Leicester Royal Infirmary's neonatal unit to say thank you to staff over the weekend.
Dr Andrew Currie, head of the neonatal service at Leicester's Hospitals, said: "We are delighted to hear Billy is doing so well and would like to wish him a very happy birthday.
"Because our patients tend to spend a long time on our unit, we build up good relationships with them and their parents and it's nice when they keep in touch with us once they have gone home."
2 Comments
by Kulgan, Crydee
Monday, September 06 2010, 10:48AM
“A great story. Little Billy is a true fighter and with the assistance of Dr Currie and his team has a better chance in life.
Best wishes to Billy and his family and to Dr Currie and his team, keep up the good work.”
by CGLee, near Melton
Monday, September 06 2010, 10:16AM
“What a heartwarming story. This is another example of how progress in medical science turns apparent tragedy into positive, life changing experiences.
I wish Billy and his family all the very best for the future and congratulate Dr Currie and his team for their tremendous efforts in this and the many other cases they are dealing with every day.”