Miracle tot's birthday bash

His mum Christine was told that her son, who suffers from a rare genetic disease, should have been stillborn after doctors discovered the disease five days after he was born.

Little Hayden, who still only weighs 9lbs, was treated to a special family birthday party to mark his incredible fight.

Christine, 39, who lives in Corsham with her husband Stephen and her five children, said: "Hayden is such a fighter and has come so far to reach his first birthday.

"Each day is special with him and to mark twelve months is such an achievement.

"He is a miracle child and this is a miracle day, one I never thought we would have.

"Seeing him in intensive care for the first eight weeks of his life was really hard and I never thought we would be sat here on his first birthday.

"He loves it when the family are all gathered around together and seems much more relaxed.

"I am so glad we have had this much time together and every second has been precious."

Hayden was born with Smith-Lemli-Optiz Syndrome, a disease that only affects one in 60,000 children.

The disease has left Hayden with 24 fingers and toes, a cleft lip and kidney problems.

He has constant sessions with a Chippenham GP and has to travel to Bath RUH for regular check-ups.

Christine said: "Hayden had his christening a week last Sunday at Neston Church where me and his dad got married.

"It was such an amazing ceremony and something I was desperate to do while he was still here with us.

"We have bought him a bouncing walker for his birthday and it will hopefully stimulate his legs into working.

"I can't believe it has been a whole year - we take each day as it comes and Hayden fights on and on.

"The birthday party is a brilliant way to celebrate my baby's life and his constant day to day struggle."

The family threw a special tea party for the toddler last Wednesday and joint party on Saturday for him and his brother Conner who was five on the same day.