Australia, the Cayman Islands, Canada, the USA, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Luxembourg, Scotland, Wales, Finland, France and England.

People from all of those countries sent birthday cards to Samuel Boakes.

In total the 21-year-old, of Summerson Close, Rochester, received 203 messages and plenty of presents too.

A t-shirt came from Seattle, a teddy bear from Washington and a $100 bill from a distant cousin in New Mexico.

When Samuel was born mum Ruth Dalton was told it was unlikely he would make it beyond three, but 21 years later and he's thriving at a special school in Surrey where he stays during the week.

Samuel suffers from the extremely rare Bainbridge-Ropers Syndrome which means he is non-verbal and spends 80% of his time in a wheelchair.

Ruth, 53, said: "He loves books and to him I think cards are like little books.

"He has not got much he can do but that sort of thing he really loves."

Cherubs nursery in Strood sent a big book of drawings, a line dancing school up north posted a pack containing 14 cards and business PRA in Bromley sent a huge card signed by employees.

Ruth added: "I want to do a map of where all the cards have come from and thank everyone for sending them but there are about 50 without addresses.

"The response has been overwhelming.

"I want to thank everybody who has helped to make Samuel's birthday so special.

"You can see he had a wonderful time. We're looking forward to his progress this year."

Samuel has never been able to communicate at home but that could soon change.

His school has invested in an Eyegaze, a piece of equipment which allows locked-in users to interact through sight.

But buying a second machine to use at home would cost £10,000 to £13,000.

Ruth said: "One of the problems I have is not knowing how much pain Samuel is in as he doesn't show it and has no communication. This also causes problems trying to work out what Samuel wants to do — where he wants to go or what he wants to watch on TV etc.

"Most of the last 20 years has been pure guess work. He has been having regular sessions with the Eyegaze system and he is doing amazingly well and is already making decisions and choices independently."

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