A TERMINALLY ill boy who was not expected to live beyond the age of two is confounding doctors’ predictions as he prepares to attend nursery school.

Three-year-old Kyle Lord was born with Type One Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a genetic disease which has left him unable to walk or sit unaided. He cannot hold up his head and also has serious chest problems.

Doctors said he was unlikely to see his third birthday, so they are amazed he is planning to attend nursery in September and start school in a year.

Children born with the condition, which leaves babies floppy and unable to suckle, are only given a 20 per cent chance of surviving past two years old.

Kyle’s father Paul, 33, of Heywood Road, Accrington, said: "We are currently getting Kyle prepared to start Fairfield Nursery in September. He is really excited as he loves interacting with other children.

"He is aware that he has limitations, but we have tried to protect him and shield him from knowing too much about his condition. We never speak about it in front of him.

"He is a very strong willed and a happy little boy and we try and keep his life as normal as possible as he receives a lot of special medical attention."

Football-mad Kyle is very close to his sister Bethany, five, and cousin Sophie, two.

His mum, Paula, said the family were shocked at his diagnosis, which came just before his first birthday. She said: "We were absolutely gobsmacked when we found out about Kyle – even though we always knew something wasn’t quite right.

"It means absolutely everything to us as parents and to Kyle in his battle that he is starting nursery in September and that we can plan to send him to school.

"His condition does not affect his brain so the stimulation that school brings will hopefully help him to continue doing well."

"He is a very cheeky and lovely little boy who has a smile for everyone. He is so special as he faces everything life throws at him with a smile."

Kyle currently spends one day a week at Holly House Respite Centre at the Acorn Health Centre in Accrington as well as time at Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley.

Peel Park Primary School, in Accrington, where Kyle hopes to join sister Bethany in a year’s time, recently held a sunshine day in his honour to raise money for the hospice.

Children paid 50p to attend school wearing something yellow and then they all paid £1 to release a Derian House helium balloon, supplied by Rendezvous Night Club in Whalley with a tag containing the school’s address and their name.

The day raised £650 for the hospice to continue supporting terminally-ill children like Kyle and their families.