AFTER 16 years of disappointment and tears, fate has finally intervened and delivered a real-life miracle into the arms of a couple who feared they would never have children.

The miracle is in the form of a beautiful 7lb 5oz girl, Maddison Elizabeth, born to the aptly-named Joy Kennedy on Monday (June 1) at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Joy and her husband Bob, of Clegg Avenue, Cleveleys, found out they couldn't have children just a year after getting married in 1981 but they never gave up hope despite a miscarriage and unsuccessful IVF treatment.

And it was worth the wait beamed the 37-year-old new mum who told the Citizen: "I cried when I first held Maddison.

"I just couldn't believe it, it was such a wonderful feeling.

"As soon as she was born they cleaned her up and handed her to me.

"Bob and I just held her in our arms and cried together."

Doctors originally said problems with Joy's fallopian tubes meant it was unlikely she would conceive but, undeterred, the couple sought help from various gynaecologists, while travelling all over the country with Bob's career in the First Battalion of the Grenadier Guards.

In 1984, Joy conceived, but sadly miscarried.

"Desperately trying to remain hopeful, the couple continued to seek advice and settled in Blackpool five years ago.

Joy underwent fertility investigations at Victoria Hospital and doctors advised IVF treatment, raising her dampened spirits once more.

She underwent £3,500 worth of the treatment at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester, last year, with all attempts failing.

Just as things appeared hopeless, Joy experienced no less than a miracle last November as she found herself pregnant, having conceived naturally.

Since then, she hasn't looked back and enjoyed a smooth pregnancy and birth.

The long-awaited baby was delivered in less than an hour by Caesarean section to ensure no pressure was put on Joy's head, as she had suffered a brain haemorrhage in 1992, which involved life-saving surgery.

When looking at her baby now she says: "I can't describe my emotions, I just think she is a miracle.

"I only wish my mum, who died 12 years ago, could have been here to see her."

And she has a message to other couples facing similar problems: "Never give up," she said. "Keep on trying even if IVF doesn't work for you.

"Miracles do happen, I've got living proof of that."

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