A miracle baby not expected to live long after being born is now approaching her second Christmas.

Katarzyna Monko was advised to terminate her pregnancy after being told her unborn child had alobar holoprosencephaly – a birth defect which occurs when the front of the brain doesn't fully separate.

However, in spite of this the Maidstone mum carried on and welcomed Krysia Szadkowski in January 2022 in the hope of giving the tot the best life she could.

Now Krysia is just a few weeks away from celebrating her second birthday after defying doctors’ expectations.

Against the odds her condition showed signs of improvement and when she was born she appeared healthy on the outside.

However, she lives with syntelencephaly which leaves her almost unable to move or to sit unsupported.

This has also led to plagiocephaly – a misshapen skull – as well as leaving Krysia profoundly deaf. But thanks to implants received earlier this year at the Evelina Hospital in London, the youngster is now able to hear.

‘It’s a small thing I can do for Krysia who has been through so much...’

Katarzyna, 40, said: “Krysia is only offered 1.5 hours of physiotherapy on the NHS, which is clearly not enough.

“I have spent hours researching therapies and have seen real improvement in Krysia’s balance after some physical therapies we have paid for privately, including Vojta therapy, Conductive Education Therapy and Dynamic Movement Intervention Therapy.

“But these are very expensive and Krysia will need regular sessions for many years, which I why we have launched a fundraising campaign.

“Krysia loves games like peekaboo and she is clearly frustrated at not being able to move. She has already beaten the odds – the right therapy could drastically improve her quality of life. Who knows how far she could go?”

Dad Kamil Szadkowski, 42, a sales executive, has been attempting to run 500km between November 26 and January 26 – Krysia’s birthday.

He said: “I’m running 10km every day before work, it’s a small thing I can do for Krysia who has been through so much.

“I invited Sir Mo Farah to run with me – sadly he is too busy, but his office sent me some signed photos so I’m planning to auction those too.

“We have three older children who have no particular health issues so this is the first time we have dealt with anything like this and no one give you a manual – it’s a question of working it out as we go along.”

Krysia’s family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children and teenagers like Krysia with healthcare needs which cannot be provided by the NHS.

As it has charity status, donations can benefit from gift aid and corporate support while the method also provides reassurance to donors.

To donate, click here.

Chief executive Becky Andrew said: “We wish Krysia and her family all the best with their fundraising activities, we are pleased to be supporting them to give them the support in reaching their fundraising goals.”