Baby declared brain dead with no survival chance now lives at home with family

A baby boy who was declared brain dead survived against all odds after his life support was turned off by doctors.

Becki Crook, 30 and husband Phil, 33, were told their baby would have extensive brain damage after being deprived of oxygen at some point in the womb or during birth.

The heartbroken parents of 15-month-old Kaleb Crook – who was given zero chance of survival by medics – said their final goodbyes to their only son on September 10, 2017.

Following doctors’ decision to withdrew all care, Kaleb and his family were transferred to a specialised children’s hospice for end of life treatment when the tot was just 10 days old.

But miraculously after his life support was switched off, he continued to breathe on his own and even managed to squeeze his mum’s finger.

And despite all the odds, Kaleb survived despite his brain damage and has come on leaps and bounds since – and is even now home with his family in time for Christmas.

Becki, from Ratby, Leics, said: "We had to prepare for end of life care at Rainbows Hospice after doctors told us that Kaleb had catastrophic brain damage and that he would most likely die imminently.

"There was nothing we could do for him.

"I couldn’t believe what had happened to our perfect pregnancy.

"We were told he would only live for a few minutes so I held him so tightly in my arms.

"But then he gave us a ray of hope.

"Kaleb gave my finger the faintest of squeezes and looked up at me, as if to say ‘it’s going to be ok Mummy!’

"And now, despite Kaleb’s complex needs and severe brain injury, he loves to smile, especially when he hears his sister’s voice.

"This is our new normal.

"This Christmas is a Christmas we never expected to have

"Kaleb can now be with us, experiencing the joy of life, against the odds.

"Our hope is that Kaleb will experience happiness and peace, in whatever capacity he is capable of.

"We want him to know how loved he is."

This Christmas, Kaleb is able to enjoy being at home with his parents and older sister, Eden, now four.

And despite his prognosis still being unknown after his HIE Grade 3 diagnosis – a severe, irreversible brain damage – the family couldn’t be prouder of him.

Becki, a midwife, added: "No one knows what the future holds for Kaleb but at the moment he’s choosing ‘life’ everyday and defying the odds."

The mum-of-two – who had an accidental home birth following a rapid labour – still has no idea why her son suffered from a severe starvation of oxygen.

She added: "Kaleb was delivered, but we quickly saw that he was pale, floppy and not breathing.

"He was put onto life support as soon as he arrived at the hospital, and doctors told me that there was minimal brain activity and that there was no hope for his future.

"We had no idea we’d still have him with us today, he has astounded everyone he’s met,

"He is a true and living miracle, defying all of the doctor’s expectations."

The family continue to rely on Rainbow Hospice for care and respite, and are are fundraising for the organisation.

To donate, visit the Ranibows website here.

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