A PREMATURE baby whose parents were told he would not live beyond 12-months-old has defied all odds and is set to celebrate his 18th birthday.

Barrow resident, Harrison Holmes, was less than a years old when he was diagnosed with the life-limiting condition cerebral palsy.

Born weighing just one pound, the pupil at Sandside Lodge School in Ulverston faced many medical conditions including: septicaemia, a brain haemorrhage and chronic lung disease.

Harrison’s complex condition forced him to rely on life support machines which mum, Jo Holmes said was "absolutely horrendous" to watch.

Mrs Holmes said: “It was so upsetting for the whole family. He had already survived for a couple of weeks and we’d got to know him. I could see his personality shine through.”

She said doctors were so fearful of Harrison's condition they advised her to turn off his life saving ventilator five times.

She said: “I wasn’t going to give up until he had given up but he carried on fighting.

“The doctors told me to bring the other kids in to say goodbye but he was still fighting strong.”

Despite a major heart operation and two bouts of septicaemia, the newborn defied doctor’s prognoses and came home.

Mrs Holmes, who has three other children, said: “We were told so many negative things all the time which I just wouldn’t accept.

“I could see Harrison’s reaction when we were all around him. I saw differently to what the doctors saw and knew he was recovering.”

Mrs Holmes’ belief in her son’s survival stemmed from the death of her baby years earlier.

She said: “Me and my husband lost our first child at four-hours-old. Losing a child is the most horrendous thing, I couldn’t go through that again.”

Harrison was granted permission to return home on the condition two ventilators, which cost £20,000, were installed in the family’s Barrow home on Yarlside Road.

Mrs Holmes immediately contacted The Mail and a funding campaign was launched, raising £10,000 within a week.

She said: “The Barrow community managed to get the money together so that Harrison was home by Christmas, it was incredible.”

Harrison is now reaching his 18th birthday milestone which has made the whole family "unbelievably proud".

Mrs Holmes said: “We all look back and think how did we get through this but it was because of him. He’s an inspiration to us all and makes everyone so happy.”

Despite doctors predictions that Harrison would never walk or talk, the 17-year-old loves singing, and dreams of appearing on Britain’s Got Talent.

Mrs Holmes said: “He brings a smile to everyone’s face, people can’t get enough of him.

“He’s truly a walking miracle.” Harrison will be celebrating his 18th birthday with 190 guests at a Greatest Showman themed party at the Soccer Bar this Friday.