A premature baby who was born at only 23 weeks and given only one day to live has managed to defy the odds as he celebrated his first birthday.
41-year-old Marie Clare Tully gave birth to little Hector at 23 weeks but her baby fought to survive despite multiple complications.
Hector, who was born with hydrocephalus – which means spinal fluid can’t flow around his body – spent 259 days at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People where he underwent 15 operations. He was also rushed to the emergency more than 20 times.
After Hector was born, Marie and her partner Angus were told to say goodbye to their baby as there was a ‘very slim chance’ he would survive.
But the parents could not see their son because of Covid restrictions, leaving them ‘heartbroken.’
It wasn’t until their baby was five days old that the couple finally saw their baby, who had to be on a ventilator for more than a month.
In an interview with BBC Scotland, Marie said that she feels like the ‘luckiest person’ to have Hector as she described him as ‘so fun’ and ‘bringing so much joy to so many people.’
“I’m so proud of him. He is a miracle, he is beyond a miracle and I am so proud of him,
“It is because of everyone’s positive prayers that he has been pulled through and we have made sure to surround him with all the love and joy and hope so that he feels absolutely adored,” Marie expressed.
Pippa Johnston, the director at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Hector and his family are inspirational and have shown so much strength through an unimaginably difficult year.
“Hector is truly a hero in every sense of the word. Sadly the reality is that some families have to be in hospital over Christmas.
“While we can’t take away their pain, we can deliver happiness. Together with the NHS, we work hard to make sure families like Hector’s don’t miss out on the magic of the festive season.”
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