CHRISTMAS could be a fun time in the Senior household.

Little Charlie Senior – left blind and brain-damaged in an attack by his father – has amazed doctors with his progress.

And his mum Joanne says little Charlie is aware of Christmas excitement and she is looking ahead to the festive season and 2013 with renewed hope.

Charlie, aged five, has amazed experts with his progress at both walking and talking.

And young Charlie has been taking big steps towards having greater independence.

The youngster has been making progress with his walking despite a diagnosis to the contrary, following the attack when he was just 15 weeks old.

Charlie’s father, Paul Sykes, was jailed for four years in 2009 after admitting violently shaking his son and causing him grievous bodily harm while the child’s mother, Joanne, was in the shower.

Sykes was released from prison in April 2011 but is banned from all contact with the family.

Despite a bleak prognosis, Charlie defied the odds and began walking a year ago.

The Golcar schoolboy has been improving his speech even though doctors said he would never be able to talk.

Mum Joanne said it’s thanks to oxygen therapy sessions he has been receiving at the West Yorkshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Leeds.

Joanne Senior, 36, says Charlie has been enjoying his new found freedom despite a fall earlier this year.

Ms Senior said: “That knocked his confidence but since he’s gone back to school he’s been off all around the school.”

And Charlie, who attends Castle Hill School at Newsome, has been making progress with his speech.

Joanne said: “It’s amazing how much his speech has come on.

“He can tell me how he’s feeling and when he’s hungry.

“He had a brain scan in October to compare his brain to when he was first brain damaged. There’s no change whatsoever which is amazing considering how much he’s come on.

“He’s happy and he knows how to get his own way,” she joked.

And while Charlie doesn’t know what Christmas is he can sense the excitement in the air.

Ms Senior said: “I don’t think he understands the idea of Christmas but he gets excited because he knows there’s something going on, with the school play and the Christmas songs and the decorations.

“Maybe this year he’ll be able to do a bit more at Christmas and we can look forward to 2013.”