WHEN Sami-Jo Liddell-Walker was born with brain damage and cerebral palsy, doctors gave her one hour to live.

Medics said the tot’s chances of surviving were one in 20 and urged her family to have her christened as soon as possible, in case she did not make it.

One doctor even told her shocked relatives that if Sami-Jo were a dog, she would be put down.

But the brave youngster pulled through and, nearly 18 months on, her family has spoken for the first time of their heartache, joy and the challenges of caring for Sami-Jo.

Mother Jessica Hinde, 19, said: “She’s a miracle.”

Miss Hinde had a relatively trouble-free pregnancy, but when she came to give birth in May last year doctors discovered Sami-Jo was in the brow position – with her head tilted backwards.

An emergency caesarean followed and Sami-Jo spent the first nine weeks of her life in hospital.

She has now returned home, to Esh Winning, near Durham, but has no mobility, no control of her head, has to be fed via a tube inserted into her stomach and needs two-person, 24-hour care.

Miss Hinde had to give up college and her partner, 22-year-old 2 Rifles soldier Phil Walker, an Afghanistan veteran, was moved from Northern Ireland to Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, to be nearer his daughter.

The family says that it has been let down by the authorities, with promises of special types of bedroom and playroom coming to nothing.

Grandfather Kevin Kenny, 49, said: “We’ve been knocked back from day one.”

Ushaw Moor Childcare offers two hours of support per week and, along with Ushaw Moor Pre- School and Friends of Silver Tree Primary School, staff recently raised £1,600 for Sami-Jo by holding a raffle and fancy dress competition.

But the tot needs a feeding machine, suction machine and adapted chairs and pushchairs and her relatives are appealing for financial help.

Grandmother Joanne Hinde, 36, said: “Every day is hard work, but every day is a miracle. They said that she would never see or hear, but when Uncle Shay comes downstairs, her eyes move, her head moves and she smiles.”

Anyone who wants to help Sami-Jo can call Joanne Hinde on 07977-506889