A mum told to plan a funeral for her baby twins before they were even born is now preparing to send them to nursery.
"Warrior" sisters Hope and Amelia Mawforth were born with broken bones because of a rare condition and had to fight for survival since birth.
Claire Mawforth, 36, had been told by doctors her daughters would not survive birth and had even started planning their funeral before they were born.
But now the pair are able to walk for a short period of time and are making huge milestones, Hull Live reports.
Claire, who also has daughter Grace and lives with husband Phil in Hull, calls her twins "Warrior Twincesses" after being born with the odds stacked against them at Hull Royal Infirmary.
Before they were born, the twins had already been diagnosed with type three severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) - better known as brittle bone disease.
As well as breaking their femur and tibia bones while in the womb, they were born with broken ribs. And in the first week six weeks of her life, Hope broke both her arms.
Miraculously, Hope and Amelia carried on developing and Claire has shared the good news that her now three-year-old daughters are getting ready to start nursery - something she never believed was possible.
Claire said: "Hope and Amelia are doing well considering their disability. They can't do the same as other children of the same age as they get tired easily and there bones become sore and tired.
"In their brains they still want to carry on but their body doesn't let them. They have had numerous broken bones over the past years from simple things like jerking there arm or missing a object."
Despite being overjoyed by their progress, Claire still worries how the pair will cope being around other children.
"They have both been for taster sessions at nursery and seem excited but nervous to start," she said. "The children who will be along side the girls are obviously a lot bigger so I feel like the girls do get a bit anxious about this.
"They haven't really been around many children their age due to Covid restrictions, but I'm hoping the nursery setting will allow them to gain friendships with their peers."
Their battle continues on every day, but the family are overjoyed that they have their girls around and they are showing progress each day.
They recently had rodding surgery on their femurs and tibiae which consists of three bones being broken and a metal telescopic rod inserted inside the bone to straighten them and make them stronger.
Their mum said: "They can still break there legs but these will help with the alignment of the bone and not as severe break.
"They both were in full cast on both legs for a total of seven months whilst healing as they can only do one leg at a time as the surgery takes literally all day.
"It is too painful for recovery to do both legs together. Since recovering they have both learnt how to walk independently.
"Although they are unable to walk for long before they start aching. They have also just received there first wheelchairs for when they are too tired and aching to remain independent."
Claire wants to share her experiences with other families who are going through a similar situation, and aims to raise as much money as possible for The Brittle Bone Society.
The mum-of-three is taking on a challenge with a group of family, friends, and colleagues as they take on England's highest mountain - Scafell Pike.
Claire said: "I'm blown away with people's generosity already. We are all from different age ranges and fitness levels.
"For me this is a massive challenge as since having the twins I've not don't any form of training or fitness but I know I'll make it to the top with pride for my girls and all those living with this rare condition.
"Raising funds for a charity that has offered so much support since birth of the twins is close to my heart and I'll be proud to say I've accomplished this challenge."
