The mother of a teenager who doctors believed would never return to school after a life-saving operation left him brain damaged last night said she hoped her son's remarkable story would provide inspiration to other families.
Jonathan Brittle (pictured) battled back from the brink of death, after suffering a heart attack days after major surgery to correct a faulty heart at Birmingham Childrens Hospital, to take up a place at Solihull School.
Although doctors managed to save his life, the Solihull youngster emerged from a three-week coma unable to walk, talk and with his memory recall destroyed.
The tragedy appeared to shatter all hope of him fulfilling his dream to study at the exclusive fee-paying school, where he had passed a tough entrance exam six months earlier.
But three years on, the 15-year-old is studying for seven GCSEs at the school and has just won the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award for triumph in the face of adversity.
He is also thought to be the only child in the country attending an elite private school with a full-time learning support assistant.
Last night his mother Moya said she hoped Jonathans story would inspire other parents of children with illnesses or disabilities.
I am so proud of him, she said.
At one point the doctors felt Jonathan wouldnt be capable of new learning. But he has proved them wrong.
I know there are a lot of very sick children out there with parents who may think things are desperate, but with a little bit of determination and by never losing faith, they can achieve anything.
Jonathan was born with a congenital heart problem. He had his first operation to narrow his aorta when he was just three months old.
