A seven-year-old boy who was destined to live in a vegetative state as a new-born continues to defy the odds and is walking unaided following therapy abroad.

Liam Cocker is now doing so much walking that he is getting muscle soreness, his mother Rachel told this newspaper following a trip to the UK funded by several people who read an appeal in this newspaper last year.

The boy was flown to Scotland for a two-week intensive physical programme and while he continues the therapy in Malta, he will be flown to the UK to “reignite the flame”.

Duncan Cocker with Liam when he was around seven months.

“When we left for the UK, Liam would crawl towards the furniture and help himself onto his feet, but he would not be able to make more than three steps, aided.

“Now he can walk unaided for at least 20 minutes and, although he has to be supervised, he is more confident,” his mother said as Liam got up and ran for the door on hearing the doorbell.

Since he started walking, Liam has become fascinated with doors as he knows they lead to a world he can explore now that he can get from one place to another faster.

His right arm is not as weak as it was either, she says as she watches a video shot during a mathematics class at the San Miguel Primary Education Resource Centre in Pembroke.

In the footage Liam is seen straining to put one large orange block over another with just one hand, which he manages after several attempts and one determined look.

Ms Cocker believes he is doing better at school as he is more attentive, and his speech has also improved.

When we left for the UK he would not be able to make more than three steps, aided

The transformation in Liam superseded what his parents were told to expect before he was born.

When she was six months pregnant with him and his twin brother Ethan, Ms Cocker was told Liam was dead. But both were born prematurely.

Three days later, Ethan passed away and two weeks on the parents were for the second time told Liam might die or be in a vegetative state.

Liam, who was expected to be in a vegetative state after birth, can now walk unaided for 20 minutes. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Following a challenging operation on his brain, Liam underwent a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy in the UK funded by the State when he was four. This is an operation that decreases spasticity in the lower limbs in cerebral palsy patients, which keeps them from walking and moving.

Through these difficult times, the family found support in Liam’s consultant Doriette Soler and Maltese neurosurgeon Kristian Aquilina.

Puttinu Cares Foundation and the Malta Community Chest Fund meanwhile supported the family financially.

Three years later, the next step for Liam was the intensive physical programme, which, among others, is for children who underwent the SDR operation.

The two-week visit will be followed up after four months with a similar visit that would reignite the flame in Liam so that he could walk with more confidence.

The next step, his mother explains, is now for Liam to be able to get back up on his feet whenever he falls down without having to crawl to the nearest chair or cabinet to use as support.

The initial therapy had cost €6,000, and Puttinu Cares Foundation offered to help them but was not in a position to cover the full amount. While donations are still coming in, for those who would like to give Liam a leg up, his BOV account is 4002351757-2, or they can contact the family on rcocker@live.com. The therapy is being funded by a charity event organised by friends and relatives, private individuals, Uniplast Ltd, Playmobil, Crimsonwing, BDO, Bathroom Design, Elmo Insurance, Avis, Banif, Alf Mizzi, Brownrigg Supplies, The Mics Sliema and CVA.

Maia, Rachel, Liam, Duncan and Kate. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli