A seven-year old boy who doctors had said was dead when he was in his mother's womb, is continuing to defy the odds and looking forward to treatment in order that he may walk. 

“I was pregnant with twins and was admitted to give birth by caesarean. I was told by the doctors that one of the babies, Liam, was dead, while the other baby was healthy. Three days later they heard Liam’s heartbeat and both were born prematurely," mother Rachel Cocker said.

“Unfortunately, Ethan passed away three days later, while Liam remained stable. Two weeks on, he started having fits,” Ms Cocker says.

The following days were a confused blur. One day, the doctors told her and her husband, Duncan, 40, that the baby boy had contracted meningitis.

For the second time the parents were told Liam might die, or be disabled for life. But after several interventions the infection was brought under control.  

More operations followed, including one to improve Liam’s eyesight. The parents sold their house so  Liam, aged four, could undergo Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy in the UK, which was partly-funded by the state. The operation decreased spasticity in the lower limbs in cerebral palsy patients, enabling the young boy to take a few steps.  

Now Liam is facing specialised therapy aimed at enabling him to walk independently. It will cost €6,000, and Puttinu Cares Foundation has offered to help out but is not in a position to cover the full amount.

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.