A grimsby teenager spent his 14th birthday in intensive care when he had a major operation on his spine - but family believe the outcome is the best present he could ever have received.

Daniel Fox, who suffers from cerebral palsy, had an operation to correct his curved spine the day before his birthday in June.

The problem, which was unrelated to his existing condition and can affect any child, began to develop two years ago as a very slight bend.

Foster mum Diane Baumber (37), who lives in Belgrave Road, Scartho Top, said the curve began as nothing and rapidly progressed.

She said: "It went from Danny not sitting as straight as he did, to an S-shaped curve, 75 degrees over to the right.
"It affects how you eat and how you sleep."

Doctors at Sheffield's Children's Hospital operated on Daniel. He was then put in traction to gently stretch his muscles, and then doctors cut open his back to insert two titanium rods on either side of his spine.

After the three-hour operation, Daniel was dosed with morphine for the pain.

Diane said: "It's one of the most painful things you can have done.
"We were all pulling our hair out - yet he just sailed through it.
"Even when he woke up in intensive care, he never cried.
"He just took it in his stride, I wouldn't have been as brave. He was brilliant."

Diane said she and husband Steve, and Daniel's parents, Lesley and David Fox, from Rufford Road, Cleethorpes, had an anxious wait during the operation.

But the four parents, who have shared Daniel's care between them since he was less than a year old, were inspired by Daniel's bravery.

Diane said: "He has taken it all in his stride, which has spurred me on."

Daniel came home after five nights in hospital with a scar down his back from between his shoulder blades to his waist.

Diane said: "It is a scar to be proud of."

Praising hospital staff for their "fantastic" support, she said the operation has made a real difference to Daniel's life.

She added: "It has improved his life no end. He was very curved and in a lot of discomfort.

"It was the best birthday present he could have had."