Sunderland parents speak of pride as twin sons born weighing just 3lb between them celebrate 20th birthday
and live on Freeview channel 276
The pair, from Norton Road, Southwick, were born 16 weeks early on April 11, 2001, and since then they have spent their lives battling a number of health problems.
Thomas has cerebral palsy and hearing difficulties, while Jack has sight and hearing problems.
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Hide AdDespite their struggles, the brothers have proved to be fighters and today (April 11) they are celebrating their 20th birthday.
Parents Helen Morgan and David Ferry say they are so proud of the ‘fun-loving’ and ‘cheeky’ young men their sons have become.
Helen, 42, said: “We are so proud of them for everything that they have gone through and everything that they deal with each day.
"They both just deal with their problems really well and deal with what is going on in the world at the moment.”
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Hide AdAfter they were born the twins were kept in intensive care, where they were hooked up to machines to help them breathe while their internal organs finished forming.
The pair then spent four months undergoing treatment before being allowed home.
They underwent laser treatment to their eyes, hernia operations, suffered chest infections and had four blood transfusions each to keep them alive
Over the years Thomas has seen his hearing improved by a cochlear implant, while Jack’s sight has improved by having permanent lenses fitted in his eyes after multiple trips to Ireland for the surgery.
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Hide AdThomas has also had to undergo numerous operations on his feet to help him to weight-bear, with his latest scheduled at the end of the month. He also has to have regular botox injections in his legs.
But the brothers refuse to let their health struggles hold them back and are continuing to attend college.
And mum Helen says the family couldn’t be prouder. She said: "It is so emotional to think what they have been through and to think they are now 20 is just amazing.”