ONE year ago little Joel Bearder was fighting for his life.

His Linthwaite parents were told he would not survive two days and they prepared to say goodbye.

But now the happy, smiling tot has just celebrated his first birthday.

Over the past year Joel has continued to defy the medics, fighting his way back to life three times.

He had heart surgery and has been on nine lots of medication and each time doctors told his parents he would not survive.

But now little Joel, nicknamed Jellybean by his family, is surrounded by birthday cards and presents on a day his family feared they’d never see.

His mum Gaynor Bearder, 34, said: “His first birthday was amazing, so special for us all.

“The night before I was saying to myself ‘please be with us in the morning and let us get to this day’ and he did.

“I really do feel like everything he has done is a miracle.

“The doctors said he wouldn’t survive; that he wouldn’t have a birthday and he has and I feel so proud of everything he has achieved.”

Cheeky Joel was born a healthy 6lbs 14oz at Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax on July 16 last year.

His parents Gaynor and Antony Bearder, an electrician, and big brother Lucas, five, were preparing to take him home when they were told he had a heart murmur.

Mrs Bearder, a former building society manager, added: “The day he was born was just amazing; he was the image of his big brother Lucas.

“It was the day after when we were getting ready to leave when the doctors said he’d got a heart murmur.

“He was transferred to Leeds in an ambulance with blue flashing lights and a special care nurse all the way there.

“They told us he was going to die within two days.

“A different cardio specialist said he was prepared to do the surgery but that Joel probably wouldn’t come back.

“We said goodbye to him because we didn’t think we’d get him back.

“But we did get him back and we were overjoyed.

“Still the doctors told us he wouldn’t live till Christmas, never mind celebrate his first birthday.

“But Joel never gave up.

“It’s indescribable how he has gone from strength to strength.

“He looks well for all the medication he takes, but he still needs a heart operation and is still poorly.”

Little Joel is not yet able to mix with other children for fear of picking up an infection.

Doctors say he will need further heart surgery in the future.

On his birthday Joel excitedly unwrapped a baby tricycle, a train set and his favourite white chocolate.

Just days before his birthday the mischievous tot took his first steps and on Wednesday, his birthday, Joel clapped his hands for the first time.

“We never thought we’d be here, he is just a miracle and a fighter,” Mrs Bearder added.

“I think for the first time we can look to the future.”