Derbyshire baby defied odds to enrol in medical school 18 years later

At just two days old Natasha's life hung in the balance, but she went on to achieve more than her parents could have ever dreamed.

On June 20, 2002, Natasha Thomson was just two days old and desperately clinging to life.

After continually stopping breathing and fitting, the newborn was put on a ventilator and doctors prepared her parents for the worst.

Natasha was pumped with anti-fitting medication and a cocktail of antibiotics in the hope that one would stem the progress of the unknown assailant destroying her little body.

Natasha with Dronfield Henry Fanshawe staff.

The vicar from the church her parents attended came prepared to baptise the baby in her incubator.

The outlook looked bleak as Nastasha remained ventilated and was placed in a medically induced coma.

However as the long days passed, the little girl defied the odds and started to win her battle for life- and she achieved more than her parents could have ever dreamed.

Fast forward 18 years, and the Dronfield Henry Fanshawe pupil has been offered a place at four medical schools across the country- a very rare accomplishment, according to teachers.

Along with academic achievements, Natasha has debated in a multi-national forum at the Model United Nations of Goldberg, is head student and has co-chaired the school’s ECO committee, raising funds to support their Green Agenda.

Headteacher Martyn Cooper said: “We are incredibly proud of Natasha and all that she has overcome.

“She radiates energy and positivity and is a stunning example to other students.

“It goes to show that in spite of what life throws at you, you can accomplsh anything through determination and hard work.

“You can either meander through school life, doing the basics, or you can seize every opportunity as she has. She leaves behind an incredible legacy at the school.”

Doctors were never able to determine the genus of Natasha’s illness- which has only spurred the teenager on to pursue a career in medicine, ‘inspired by those who gave there all to save her’.

Natasha’s mum Nicola said Natasha’s ‘resilience, tenacity and sheer enthusiasm for life’ is ‘boundless’.

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