The Hartlepool miracle girl who wasn't expected to live more than a few days - and she is 12 today!

Hartlepool girl Talia Foster, who has defied the odds all her life, is 12 years old today.

And what a special occasion it was for her family who described her as ‘our little miracle’ who has fought ever since she was born.

Talia got birthday presents including designer clothes and toys which help to develop key skills while she plays. Sadly, her family are limited in where they can take her for a birthday treat because of the pandemic restrictions.

But she has reached her 12th birthday and mum Clair, 45, said: “I can’t believe it. When she was born, the doctors said she was having so many seizures and she was so poorly, that she would not survive.

"But she has proved them all wrong every time. She has come through infant school, junior school and now she loves going to seniors at Catcote Academy.”

Talia had hundreds of seizures a day when she was first born and doctors told her mum she may not survive infancy. In the years that followed, she has also tackled epilepsy, brain cysts and numerous chest problems.

In recent months, Talia, from the Brierton area, has come through a life-threatening struggle with sepsis which saw her in hospital for six days.

She was so poorly that doctors told her parents she could have died from organ failure if she had not received treatment when she did.

Mum Clair would love to take Talia out for a birthday treat but she said: “Talia can’t wear a mask. She has complex needs and she tries to flick it off her nose. She gets panicky.”

In the last few years, Talia has been:

* Registered blind with only 6 out of 60 vision in both eyes;

* Has scoliosis and will need major surgery in the months to come;

* Has been diagnosed with autism;

* Has been diagnosed with dystonia (which is a movement disorder where the muscles contract uncontrollably);

* Suffered bronchitis;

* Has a reduced immune system;

* Suffered an outbreak of hundreds of ulcers in her mouth.

But nothing deters Talia and she continues to be a cheery soul who always has a smile.

Clair added: “Everyone who meets her comments on how happy she is. If she could, she would have you play with her 24 hours a day.”

Today is a special day for Talia and Clair – who is married to Brendan, 43, and is also mum to Callum, 24, and Gabrielle, 15 – added: “I have sung happy birthday to her twice. Because she is autistic, we have to take everything slowly with her.

"As a parent, you expect the milestones in life with your child but Talia is a butterfly who reaches the milestones at her own pace.

"She is our little miracle.”

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Hartlepool Mail website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.