‘WE DID NOT THINK WE WOULD GET TO THIS DAY’
CHARLIE Barbour is turning 18 years old today and it will be memorable for more reasons than one.
In 2002, Charlie was born at 24-and-a-half weeks, had severe lung and eye problems and less than a 10 per cent chance of survival.
“I have come a long way,” Miss Barbour said.
“It is definitely a birthday to celebrate but I will just be celebrating at home.”
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and social distancing restrictions, the Miami teenager will not be drinking in Coast nightclubs with her friends tonight.
“It is a weird time of our lives,” she laughed.
“I was planning a party with my friends but I now am just having a quiet dinner with family.
“We will celebrate properly when everything settles down.”
Her parents, Laurel and Adam Barbour, said when they held their baby, weighing only 503 grams, they only dreamt of this day.
“We feel so lucky to have her as so many are not as fortunate,” Laurel Barbour said.
“Doctors thought she would end up blind and deaf.
“She is definitely a miracle baby.
“At times we did not think we were going to get to this day but now she has finished school, has her car licence, off to TAFE studying and now becoming an adult.”
Miss Barbour’s first birthday was captured by the
Bulletin in 2003 and her parents said Charlie still had the same beautiful smile and fighting spirit.
The Miami High alumni said she has been left with mild cerebral palsy in her legs but it was not holding her back from pursuing a career in screen and media.
“I cannot wait to see what the future holds,” she said.
“I just want parents with premmie babies to know anything is possible and not to lose hope because from small things – big things grow.”