A TODDLER who was told she may never walk due to her life-limiting brain disorder has defied doctor’s predictions by taking her first steps.

Baby Savannah Dearden, from Barrow, was diagnosed with the rare brain disorder lissencephaly at just 11 months old .

Lissencephaly is a set of rare brain disorders where the whole or parts of the surface of the brain appear smooth which leads to significant development delays which vary from child to child.

Savannah’s parents, Laura and Jonathon, were told the brain development of their now 18-month-old tot was likely to remain at the five month stage.

Doctors told the couple their toddler may never talk, walk or crawl - but Savannah has defied medical opinion in taking her first miraculous steps using a stander.

Miss Dearden said she ‘bawled her eyes out’ when she saw Savannah walk for the first time.

“Doctors said she would never walk, talk, crawl or roll but she’s proved them wrong,” she said.

“She managed to walk using a stander the other day which is the first time she’s used it and we were blown away.

“We weren’t sure she’d do anything but she amazed us by pushing off and taking some steps.

“She’s surpassed all our expectations. I was an emotional wreck when I watched her.

“There’s still a long way to go but this is the first step. Her brain needs to make the connection with telling her legs to walk.

“She needs to use her stander every day and build muscle memory.

“But the more she does it, the more connections it’ll make and the better she’ll be at it.”

Miss Dearden said the family want to give Savannah ‘every chance’ at achieving goals.

“After being told she wouldn’t be able to walk by doctors, it makes it all the more special,” she said.

“It’s like a glimmer of hope.

“Hopefully she will continue to defy doctor’s predictions.

“She’s fought every step of the way. We’re always going to stay optimistic.”