Special report

SANDRA and Philip Lucas never thought their daughter would grow up to be a teenager.

Victoria weighed in at only 1lb 5oz when she was born - less than a bag of sugar.

Doctors said her chances of survival were slim.

But today she celebrates her 13th birthday - and starts the teenage years her parents feared she would never have.

Victoria was born four months prematurely, just a few weeks after her mother's pregnancy was confirmed.

She spent six months in hospital, undergoing many blood transfusions and a heart operation before she was allowed home. It was an agonising time for Sandra, now 38, and Philip, 39, of Tintern Crescent, Little Harwood, Blackburn.

Sandra, who herself was very ill following the birth, said she had often thought she and Philip were going to lose their only daughter.

She said: "She was in hospital for six months and four days.

"Those four days were the worst as we were waiting for her to come home.

"She was the very first baby born in Blackburn who was so small and so early."

But the skill and care of the staff at Queen's Park Hospital Special Care Baby Unit pulled baby Victoria through.

Victoria suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and has some hearing loss.

But despite that, she is doing well at Blackamoor School and leads a full life with lots of friends.

"She has a few problems but we are very pleased with her.

"We couldn't ask for anything more," said Mrs Lucas.

"I would just like to say thank you to everybody who helped us to get her this far.

"It has been hard work but Victoria appreciates it.

"She is here and that is all that matters."

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