THE mother of a baby who weighed only 1lb 4oz when he was born and was given just a 15 per cent chance of survival has thanked family and friends in Wellington for their support.

Mum Abbie Patterson-Bright’s son Cooper was born about 16 weeks early in December 2016 and since that time has spent 384 days in five hospitals across the country.

She says he has had eight life support interventions, seven critical care ambulance transfers and four surgeries. Abbie said: “What we have come to learn about Cooper is that he is one strong, brave and special little man.”

Abbie, who spent the first 35 years of her life in Wellington before moving to Worcestershire with American wife Staci in 2014, says all their family and friends are in Wellington and they spend as much time visiting as they can.

Abbie added: “We had so many times we didn’t know if we would be taking our little warrior home but we believed in Cooper and his will to get there. He really is an amazing little miracle.

“On our journey we had so much support from our family and friends in Wellington. They gave us the space we needed to help concentrate on Cooper’s care but were always there when we needed them with love, prayers and wishes, surprise visits and middle of the night chats, and so much more.

“We have missed so many special events, phone calls and messages from them but knew they understood that we would get in touch when we could. They never gave up hope in the three of us. We just want to say thank you to each and every one of them. We would not have got through it without them.”

For the full story see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.