Woman who doctors said should be left to die as a baby celebrates her 60th birthday

Fiona Sanderson, who lives in Ashton, Preston, has spina bifida, a condition where the spine doesn’t develop properly.

Fiona’s condition was so extreme, doctors told her parents she wouldn’t survive a week and that it would be kinder to let her die by not feeding her.

Sister Katrina, 49, who lives in Kirkham, said: “Doctors said Fiona would not live past a week and certainly not past the age of one. They then predicted that if she did survive, she would never walk, never get a job, never get married and never have children.

“However, Fiona has achieved all this and much more besides. She is an inspiration to everyone.”

Fiona, who has a son and a granddaughter, said: “I am a very stubborn person and if someone says I can’t do something then, by golly, I will do it.

“I would urge people to never give up hope and want to let people who have a child with a disability know that they can live a full life despite what the doctors might say.”