Boy beat 'incalculable odds' to enjoy 9th birthday

Rafi beat "incalculable odds", according to his aunt

When Rafi fell ill at school, no one knew what was wrong with him.

The seven-year-old, from Bracknell, Berkshire, had contracted E-coli and would go on to develop a string of complications including sepsis, pneumonia, cardiac arrests, strokes and a brain injury.

But he beat "incalculable odds", according to his aunt Louise, and is now celebrating his ninth birthday.

His family home has been given a makeover by DIY SOS, making it fully accessible and allowing his family to focus on his ongoing recovery, Louise said.

'One thing after another'

Rafi's family do not know how he first became ill but he developed haemolytic uremic syndrome as a result, a rare complication that can lead to kidney failure.

He was put on life support at Southampton General Hospital, and his aunt said he suffered "one thing after another".

"It was just a lot for a little body to go through.

"He had a lot of hurdles when he was in hospital but he survived them all, " Louise said.

Rafi has "exceed expectations a number of times", Louise said

Louise thinks the family - particularly his parents, Laura and Dean, and grandparents Mick and Lynn, was phenomenal in its support.

Rafi can now stand and with support, walk. He can speak, and pick up objects.

"He's exceeded expectations a number of times," said Louise.

"His story has been so inspiring."

The family are hosting an event to mark Rafi's birthday, as well as DIY SOS, on Sunday

Thanks to DIY SOS, Louise said the house was now "fully accessible".

She said it meant that the money they were raising - including anything from their Family Day Out event on Sunday could go towards Rafi's care.

"The money... is going towards ongoing treatment, equipment and therapies rather than bricks and widening things... that kind of thing," she said,

"It just means that we're absolutely putting it all into Rafi now... it's wonderful."