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| Derby twins with spinal muscular atrophy celebrate 18th birthday | Derby twins with spinal muscular atrophy celebrate 18th birthday |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Sam (left) and Alex were born with spinal muscular atrophy | Sam (left) and Alex were born with spinal muscular atrophy |
| Twins who were told they would not live past the age of seven have just celebrated their 18th birthday. | Twins who were told they would not live past the age of seven have just celebrated their 18th birthday. |
| Sam and Alex Bolton, from Littleover, Derby, were born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic condition that makes muscles weaker and causes problems with movement. | Sam and Alex Bolton, from Littleover, Derby, were born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic condition that makes muscles weaker and causes problems with movement. |
| Their mum, Sarah Wilson, said she had received the diagnosis when the boys were just 18 months old. | Their mum, Sarah Wilson, said she had received the diagnosis when the boys were just 18 months old. |
| Alex said he and Sam were excited to reach the next chapter in their lives. | Alex said he and Sam were excited to reach the next chapter in their lives. |
| Ms Wilson said: "Obviously turning 18 is a huge milestone for any young person but given the prognosis at the point of diagnosis, I would say that Sam and Alex have surpassed anything I had imagined at that time." | Ms Wilson said: "Obviously turning 18 is a huge milestone for any young person but given the prognosis at the point of diagnosis, I would say that Sam and Alex have surpassed anything I had imagined at that time." |
| She said the twins - who use wheelchairs and need support with eating and physical care - were always smiling and laughing. | |
| They plan to study media at the University of Derby | They plan to study media at the University of Derby |
| "They very rarely complain about their disability," she said. | "They very rarely complain about their disability," she said. |
| "We have always tried to focus on what they can do and not waste time moping about what they can't do." | "We have always tried to focus on what they can do and not waste time moping about what they can't do." |
| The pair celebrated their birthday on Sunday with a party involving around 60 family members and friends. | The pair celebrated their birthday on Sunday with a party involving around 60 family members and friends. |
| They are currently finishing a two-year course at Derby College and they plan to study media at the University of Derby from September. Their dream is to be TV presenters. | They are currently finishing a two-year course at Derby College and they plan to study media at the University of Derby from September. Their dream is to be TV presenters. |
| Sam said: "When we were first diagnosed we were told we wouldn't make it past seven and that was quite scary for our mum." | Sam said: "When we were first diagnosed we were told we wouldn't make it past seven and that was quite scary for our mum." |
| Alex said: "This is a real milestone for us and it was always going to be a big birthday. | Alex said: "This is a real milestone for us and it was always going to be a big birthday. |
| "It marks the next chapter of our lives and we are very excited." | "It marks the next chapter of our lives and we are very excited." |
| The twins have been involved with the charity since they were little | The twins have been involved with the charity since they were little |
| Ms Wilson added she was due to take on a fire walk in Loughborough to raise funds for the Rainbows Hospice, which has supported the family since the boys were three. | Ms Wilson added she was due to take on a fire walk in Loughborough to raise funds for the Rainbows Hospice, which has supported the family since the boys were three. |
| "We have been at Rainbows most of our lives and it is so nice that we are able to give something back," said Sam. | "We have been at Rainbows most of our lives and it is so nice that we are able to give something back," said Sam. |
| Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Littleover | Littleover |
| Twins | Twins |
| Health | Health |
| Loughborough | Loughborough |
| Spinal muscular atrophy | Spinal muscular atrophy |