JOHN and Sarah Sammons were last night hopeful of being granted their ultimate gift — another Christmas with their son Kye.

Three weeks ago, the family was warned the severely disabled four-year-old had suffered a chest infection which doctors feared would kill him. He was taken to Helen and Douglas children’s hospice in East Oxford.

But the youngster, who was starved of oxygen at birth and not expected to live more than a few days in November 2005, battled through his illness and on Sunday was allowed home to Ambrosden — after a quick visit to see Father Christmas when Wyevale Garden Centre in nearby Bicester opened its grotto early as a treat for him.

Last night, Mrs Sammons, 34, said: “We didn’t think Kye would see Christmas this year, so this is a real gift for us. He was so ill recently we were told to fear the worst because doctors thought he would die.

“But he managed to pull through and surprised everybody yet again. Kye has always been a real fighter.

“He can’t communicate with us, but we know he reacts to lights and sounds, so the grotto would probably have been exciting for him.

“It was really kind of the garden centre to do that for us.”

Mr and Mrs Sammons have an extra reason to celebrate after the birth of their daughter Charlotte six weeks ago.

Mr Sammons, 39, said: “Kye and Charlotte have really bonded already.

“He recognises voices and he gets very excited. When I come home from work I start calling his name as I walk in and you can see him light up.

“He knows who Charlotte is and loves a cuddle with her. She always sits on his lap “It will be a real family Christmas for all of us and we are really looking forward to it.”

Kye was on life support for the first 12 hours of his life and has brain stem damage, causing severe cerebral palsy and epilepsy. He needs 24-hour care and cannot hold himself up.

After doctors told his parents he would not live past two days, they had him baptised in hospital.

Tests originally showed he would probably be deaf and blind and would not feed without tubes. But later tests showed he had perfect hearing and partial sight. His parents also feed him solids.

Respite Nursing for Oxfordshire’s Sick Youngsters (Rosy) supports Oxfordshire families with very ill children, and their nurses visit twice a week to help full-time carer Mrs Sammons for a few hours.

Mr Sammons said: “We didn’t expect Kye to see his first Christmas, so to still have him with us four years later is amazing. He is a battler and continues to defy all the predictions.”