'Amazing' toddler survived sepsis and FOUR bouts of meningitis

Luca Johnson may have already had five close shaves with death but his parents say he is the 'happiest boy you'll ever meet'.

The toddler, who was born 12 weeks premature, has been left with extensive brain damage after surviving sepsis and four bouts of meningitis. 

Doctors have warned the now 18-month-old may never walk, talk or even sit up on his own because of the lasting damage.

But Luca's mother, Jodie, 30, says she has every faith her 'amazing' son - who has a twin sister called Lola  - will defy the odds once again because 'anything is possible'. 

The toddler, who was born 12 weeks premature, has been left with extensive brain damage after surviving sepsis and four bouts of meningitis (pictured with twin sister Lola)

The toddler, who was born 12 weeks premature, has been left with extensive brain damage after surviving sepsis and four bouts of meningitis (pictured with twin sister Lola)

Speaking about her son's uncertain future, the full-time carer said: 'We just don’t know what or how his future will play out.

'I still get emotional now, but it’s Luca who keeps us all going with his big smile. He’s the happiest boy you will ever meet.

'He has physio every week to build his strength, so he may never sit up, walk or talk.

'But with plenty of physio and dedication I believe anything is possible. I have every faith in him.

Mrs Johnson, from Leigh, Greater Manchester, added: 'He has a very long road ahead of him, but I think 2019 is Luca’s year.

'I want to show the world what an amazing little boy he is and what an inspiration he will be to others. 

'Even though he has brain damage, it doesn’t stop him and it’s not the end of the world.' 

Mrs Johnson and her husband Matthew, 28, found out they were expecting twins in May 2017 - a year after she gave birth to their son Nova.

Luca's mother, Jodie, 30, says she has every faith her 'amazing' son - who has a twin sister called Lola - will defy the odds once again because 'anything is possible'

Luca's mother, Jodie, 30, says she has every faith her 'amazing' son - who has a twin sister called Lola - will defy the odds once again because 'anything is possible'

They hoped the pregnancy would go as smoothly as their first - but things took a turn for the worse when her labour started at just 26 weeks.

Mrs Johnson was then whisked away to Bolton Hospital in an ambulance but the twins' heart rate were beginning to slow down.

Doctors knew an emergency caesarean was required, and they were delivered by 'amazing' medical staff on September 24, weighing just 2lbs each.

Lola exceeded all expectations during her stint in intensive care. Though, Luca was not as fortunate, spending three months needing round-the-clock care.  

Luca contracted sepsis - a violent, and often fatal, immune response to an infection - when he was just six weeks old. He was given morphine to control the pain.

After overcoming the odds to beat sepsis, he then contracted bacterial meningitis a month later, aged just 11 weeks.

Luca's parents were finally allowed to take their son home from intensive care on Christmas Day, weighing just 4lb 10oz.

Mrs Johnson added: 'He has a very long road ahead of him, but I think 2019 is Luca’s year' (pictured with her husband Matthew, Luca, Lola and their other son Nova)

Mrs Johnson added: 'He has a very long road ahead of him, but I think 2019 is Luca’s year' (pictured with her husband Matthew, Luca, Lola and their other son Nova)

He went on to endure meningitis three more times - in March, May and June 2018 - before he was nine months old, leaving him with permanent brain damage. 

Luca has since been diagnosed with

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