A MIRACLE toddler born paralysed down one side and with part of his brain missing has defied massive odds by taking his first steps.

Severe cerebral palsy meant that Finley Rosbotham could not sit or hold up his head for the first year of his life.

And doctors warned his parents Kelly and Ivan that the two-year-old would never be able to move the left side of his body to walk or crawl.

The couple were also told it was doubtful that he would ever talk because a section of his brain that controlled motor functions as well as speech was missing.

But since Finley began intensive physiotherapy, plus speech therapy, at Accrington’s Holly House, he has made startling progress.

Therapists say young children can train other parts of their brain to do the job of missing or damaged sections.

Sessions have not only taught him to raise his head and sit up but he had perfected a 'commando crawl' within eight months.

Now Finley has had splints fitted to his legs and a course of muscle relaxants which have enabled him to stand up while holding on to furniture for support and take his first halting steps.

Though he still does not speak he has started to make promising ‘babbling’ noises as well.

Mum Kelly said: “When I think of what we were told to expect when he was diagnosed, I still get very upset.

“Our world came crashing down. We wondered what the future would be like for him. He was like a rag doll. I knew there was something wrong from the beginning. He never made a noise and never lifted his head like my other children had. He would just lie there and stare into space.

“He still has a long way to go. He doesn’t speak yet, but he is such a determined little fighter.

“When I look at him moving around I can’t believe it. We know he will probably still need to go to a special school, but every advantage he gains is a gift.

“It is all down to Holly House. People don’t understand what an amazing facility it is.

“They are so friendly and welcoming, they are like a second family to us now. They looked at what he could do, not what he couldn’t do. Then they would build on it.

“We are incredibly proud, and amazed at how far he has come.”

Holly House offers special tools and a play centre geared towards children with special needs. Staff work with the child and teach parents play techniques to use at home.

Lancashire Telegraph health expert Dr Tom Smith said: “It is really tremendous to see he is managing to do all this by the age of two, despite his disadvantages.

“Who knows where he will be in just a few years time? We have learned an awful lot more about how to develop missing parts of the brain over the past few years.

“I would say excellent parenting was needed to achieve this, real patience and good instincts are needed to care for these children.

“The team at Holly House are also clearly doing a brilliant job.”

Staff at Holly House have said they are delighted by Finley’s progress.

Friends of Kelly and Ivan are planning a fundraiser with stalls and a raffle for the centre this summer in Accrington. To book a stall, donate or support Holly House contact organiser Wendy Holt on 07927926970.