WASHINGTON — Jack Stevens may only be 15 months old, but he has already undergone nine surgeries, including four open heart procedures.
Jack — who is from Hartlepool, County Durham in North East England — was born with half a heart and has spent half of his life in hospital after having four open heart surgeries and five other operations, according to DailyMail.com.
The child has suffered a stroke as well, DailyMail.com reports.
This miracle baby was born with half a heart and survived http://t.co/Y8EyxUbl4B pic.twitter.com/ybjKbuGaMo
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) April 1, 2015
He was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which means the left side of his heart did not form properly.
Now, things are looking better for the 15-month-old. He has made a miraculous recovery and is finally able to go home.
His parents, Chris Stevens and Ashton Hodge, call Jack a fighter.
“It was really difficult watching him lying in his hospital bed for so long surrounded by machines and tubes,” Chris told DailyMail.com. “But we knew it was best for him and he’s battled through everything — he’s a real fighter.”
Jack’s condition has slowed his development, but he is now tackling milestones back at home and, for the first time in his life, is off a feeding tube.
“He’s almost walking now and he mumbles all the time so hopefully he’ll say his first word soon,” Chris told DailyMail.com. “We’re both so proud of him — he’s a very inspirational boy.”
