Toddler beats the odds as he returns to nursery despite being told he would never talk or walk

When Jake Holland was born, doctors told his Mum Amanda he would never walk or talk. Despite this devastating diagnosis, three-year-old Jake has gone on to prove them wrong, and is about to start his second year of nursery in Gateshead.

Jake, who is reliant on a catalogue of medication and is fed through a tube into his stomach, has cystic fibrosis and global developmental delay. He was predicted to need round-the-clock care, meaning he would lead a limited life compared to others his age.

But the brave youngster is determined to prove the world wrong and, although still in need of lots of specialist care at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, he is learning to walk and talk and is heading back to school this week. 

Proud Mum Amanda says: “Jake’s my little miracle. Everything we take for granted is so hard for Jake and he’s had to fight every step of the way to prove his doctors wrong. Going into a new class and starting a new school year will be a very big step, but we know he will succeed.

"Although we thought Jake would never speak, he is now attempting to put sentences together. And although we thought he would never walk he is now awaiting leg splints and has already started walking.

“We are so proud of our little man: he’s shown everyone just how strong and determined he is.”

Throughout Jake’s treatment, Amanda and Jake’s brothers - David, 4, and nine-month-old Jermaine – have been supported by The Sick Children’s Trust's Crawford House at the RVI in Newcastle. 

Amanda continues: “Crawford House has really supported our entire family throughout Jake’s treatment. Even though we are now outpatients, we still pop in to say hello, and earlier this year we did need The Sick Children’s Trust again. It’s a massive support and helped us through some of the hardest times.”