Little lionheart Rueben Egan is celebrating his first birthday today – a miracle for a baby born weighing just 1.6lb.
The tot has overcome a long list of health problems, including a hole in the heart and E-coli.
But Rueben has proven he is a fighter – just like world boxing champion Tyson Fury, who was also born prematurely.
Mum Danielle King, 22, was told to prepare for the worst when her waters broke at 23 weeks and she was rushed to hospital.
Rueben wasn’t due until October 10, but he arrived on June 26.
Danielle says: “I managed to hold on to him for a few days, but then I went into full-blown labour.
“The nurses were preparing me for a dead baby – they were mentally preparing me for the worst. It was so awful. I kept thinking, ‘My baby is dead’ over and over. It was horrible.”
After a 16-hour labour at Leeds General Infirmary, Rueben was born – and Danielle was thrilled to hear her baby son cry.
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“I cannot think of anything to compare it to,” she says. “It was unique… such a tiny cry, and my heart absolutely soared.
“The staff said it was unheard of for a baby to cry at 24 weeks. I kept saying, ‘He’s alive’, over and over.
“I was scared to look at him. But I got to hold him for a moment before they whisked him off to an incubator.
“He could fit in the palm of my hand. He was beautiful.”
Rueben was taken straight to intensive care and placed in a state-of-the-art Giraffe incubator, which promotes natural healing, allows parents to bond with their baby, and gives medics improved access.
Danielle says: “I was so worried he wouldn’t make it, I was constantly sat by his incubator. But he’s a little fighter, just like Tyson Fury.”
The boxer, 33, weighed just 1lb when born three months premature. He is now a hulking 6ft 9in and 19st.
Danielle, from Hull, recalls medics telling her Rueben had a hole in his heart. She says: “The doctors treated the hole in his heart with ibuprofen, which I find astonishing.
“Because he was so small, he had difficulty feeding and was vomiting a lot.
“He was also tachycardic (rapid heart beat). The staff were incredible… so supportive.
“There were so many setbacks and he’s been through so much. We both developed sepsis, then Rueben contracted a bug called serratia.
“He also had an eye disorder called ROP and had injections in both eyes to help develop the optic nerve.
“On top of all that, he got E.coli. It was awful… one thing after another. Then he started breathing unaided at eight weeks old, which was a big moment.
“We were in hospital for over 10 weeks in total. He’s shown what a little battler he is.”
Recruitment worker Danielle is planning a huge jungle-themed party for her little boy’s birthday. She says: “I was so nervous when I first brought him home and a couple of times he had to be admitted back into hospital. But now my little fighter will be one, he’s having a party! He’s such a clever boy, reacts to things and laughs and smiles a lot.
“He’s standing, taking a few wobbly steps and says a word or two. He’s the first grandchild for my mum, Julie… she is obsessed with him.
“She’s been a huge help and is my rock.
“Rueben has fought all his life and will be a champion just like Tyson Fury.
“He’s a miracle. I’m so proud of him.”
Hannah Shore, consultant neonatologist at Leeds Children’s Hospital, said: “We are delighted little Rueben has made such a good recovery after his time on our neonatal unit and is doing so well for someone born so early and small.”
