A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl who was expected to never walk again after suffering a brain haemorrhage which paralysed the left side of her body has defied the odds by learning to swim unaided.

Tiarnii McGrath was only 18-months-old when she was struck down with encephalitis and a brain haemorrhage.

After a massive fit, Tiarnii was rushed to hospital and stayed there for four weeks.

Tiarnii’s family were told that if she survived she may never regain control over the left side of her body and may not walk ever again.

But nearly four years on, Tiarnii has smashed all expectations by learning to walk again and has even conquered her fear of water to learn to swim unaided.

Mum Farrah McGrath, 23, of Tredegar, said: “She’s done so well considering we just didn’t know how far she was going to be able to come.

“At the time we didn’t think she would even survive. She went into hospital after having a fit and didn’t come out for about four weeks.

“But she has retained some function and learned to walk again, which we never thought she would be able to do.

“Since it happened she has also developed epilepsy. She was having up to 60 fits a day at one point, but we have her on different medication now which has made a huge difference.

“She has to have somebody with her 24 hours a day because she can’t be left alone. But despite all that she’s the happiest little girl in the world. Absolutely nothing stops her and she’s always trying new things."

Ms McGrath explained that Tiarnii’s condition doesn’t affect her learning ability at all, but it does mean that the Georgetown Primary School pupil has a carer with her in school to keep an eye on her.

Learning to swim was recommended to Ms McGrath as part of Tiarnii’s recovery plan, and swimming instructors Jacqueline and Ieuan Gwillim at Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre were enlisted a year ago to give the youngster one-to-one lessons.

Ms McGrath said: “Jacqueline and Ieuan have both been amazing.

“To start with she wouldn’t let go of Ieuan. He had red marks all over his arm after that first lesson.

“But now she is much more confident and swims on her own.

“She absolutely loves it now which is great because it’s still big part of her recovery. There’s been a massive improvement in her since starting the lessons.

“We’re so proud of her. She’s the bravest little girl in the world.”

Jacqueline Gwillim, 47, of Torfaen, said: “She puts us all to shame. She comes in and does her best every time with a smile on her face, no matter how she’s feeling.

“We just love her. She’s an inspiration to everyone really.

"For someone so young to have gone through so much to get to this point is remarkable.”