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A little boy from Merseyside has amazed medics by taking his first steps - despite doctors' fears he would never walk.
Two-year-old Carson Hartley has spent his entire life in hospital after being born 13 weeks early with blue baby syndrome and a hole in his heart.
His mum Kirsty Harris had been told her little boy may never walk at all after he suffered a brain bleed, but the plucky lad has now defied doctors by fighting back and putting his best foot forward.
Carson has already undergone more than 21 operations in his short life, including surgery which destroyed his voicebox meaning he will never speak. He has been cared for at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, after his family moved to Liverpool from their Lancashire home.
His mum Kirsty says she is so proud of her 'little fighter'.
The 32-year-old mum-of-five told the Liverpool Echo: "They told us so many times that Carson wouldn't survive and, if he did, he would be so disabled that his quality of life would be poor.
"Well, he has defied all odds put against him, and all with a big smile on his face.
"It has been a difficult journey with Carson but two years on he is now taking his first steps - a huge milestone and one thing that the doctors told us he would never be able to do."
His delighted family are now keeping their fingers crossed that their brave little boy will be well enough to celebrate Christmas at home.