This is Derbyshire --A YOUNG boy who has a rare life-limiting condition celebrated his third birthday on Saturday – a day his mother never thought she'd see.
William Furlong suffers from Miller-Dieker-Syndrome and his parents were told by doctors he wouldn't live past his first birthday.
However, William had other ideas and now he and his parents, Alison and Sean, and sisters Olivia, six and Niamh, five, will soon be on their way to Centre Parcs to celebrate.
Alison couldn't be prouder of her only son.
She said: "He's a little superstar and we're so pleased with him.
"He's such a fighter with everything he's been through but he's so determined he just keeps going and battling.
"For most parents their child's third birthday is just another milestone but for us it means so much more.
"William continues to surprise us and we really treasure the time we spend together as a family."
The condition affects the youngster's brain and means he is blind, suffers epileptic fits and needs the sort of care normally given to a new-born baby.
A welcome break is something the whole family, from Muirfield Drive, Mickleover, are looking forward to.
Alison said: "It's not far away for us to travel and it really feels like a special place to be able to go and relax.
"William enjoys it there because he's in the fresh air surrounded by trees."
The family have had a difficult year, with William suffering a number of issues with his medical condition.
Alison said: "He has periods when he is less well but we stay strong together as a family and we try our best to get through it.
"It can be very difficult living on the edge with things like that but Rainbows hospice are fantastic.
"He goes there for palliative care which helps him calm down. It also allows him to spend less time in hospital which is good for us all."
Alison admits at first the family were to afraid to look too far ahead but that mentality has now changed.
She said: "We have to be hopeful for the future and just be thankful for the time we spend together as a family.
"We go out a lot to different places and we really value the happy times we have."
Alison and five friends recently walked the 30 mile Going M-A-D (Matlock-Ashbourne-Derby) walk for Rainbows. Along with family friend, Lee Busby, who ran the London marathon, they raised an amazing £9,000. Reported by This is 3 hours ago.