Boy with Krabbe disease defies odds and turns 10

Darren Garwood said his son Jackson is a happy and cheeky little boy

A "happy and cheeky" boy who was not expected to live past the age of two due to a health condition has turned 10.

Jackson had been reaching normal milestones up until the age of one but was then diagnosed with Krabbe disease, with doctors giving him a year to live.

However his dad, Darren Garwood from Tilbury in Essex, said Jackson turned 10 on Monday and is one of the oldest children alive with his condition in the UK.

Krabbe disease is a genetic neurological condition which affects the nervous system and causes degeneration. Jackson cannot walk, talk or sit up, his dad said, but has fantastic hearing.

Jackson defied all the odds by turning 10 years old on Monday

Mr Garwood said: "Jackson was reaching normal milestones up until the age of one, walking, talking and trying to say mum and dad".

But one day, Jackson was left unable to move parts of his body.

Life expectancy for children with the disorder is two but Mr Garwood said Jackson had "defied the odds".

He added that his son's achievements were always celebrated regardless of how small or big they may seem, and they had a lot planned for his birthday.

"When you get a diagnosis that your child won't live past two, [you don't] take all these little things for granted," he added.

'Strong little lad'

Mr Garwood said his son was an inspiration to the family and a "strong little lad".

He added: "He is generally happy and cheeky but also, he is beautiful. He is my superhero, I would say.

"[If} I hurt myself or complain about something and then I look at him and just think, what an amazing little boy - he just deals with all the stuff that is thrown at him really."

Mr Garwood has written a series of children's stories starring Jackson.

He features as a superhero having adventures while he dreams.

His fifth book, in a series of children stories starring Jackson, is set to come out around Christmas.

"Jackson's diagnosis day was so horrific, I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I went through, and I know people do," he said,

"[Writing the books gave a] "little light at the end of a really negative tunnel."