JORDAN Primmer has bravely battled with a severe disability but today he celebrates a special milestone- turning 20 on a lucky day.
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His devoted mother, Denise Dent told the Daily Liberal it was no surprise he celebrated his birthday on the 12th day of the 12th month in 2012.
"The fact he is alive makes him pretty lucky," she said.
Ms Dent said the past 20 years had been an emotional rollercoaster with many ups and downs and they lived each day as it came with no big future plans.
"We looked back and never thought he would walk to the cupboard and get himself a can of tuna - which he loves - or to say, 'I'm hungry' and get some food for himself," she said.
"We were told he would live as a vegetable in a wheelchair so we thought we would have to feed him always."
The doctors did not give them a shred of hope that he would live until today but with the determination, love and care of his family and friends Jordan is living a happy life.
Ms Dent said she received her strength from seeing what he has become, a successful young man, and his smile brightened her world each morning.
"It's great having him here, he's a great personality and always bubbly," she said.
"He has a crazy sense of humour and he is a kind and caring boy."
The Daily Liberal was honoured to be on hand for Jordan's first day at "big school" in 1999 and again for his year 12 graduation last year at Dubbo College Senior Campus.
Since then he has been involved with Break Thru Solutions in community programs where his brother Joshua worked.
Jordan played ten-pin bowling, visited the Wellington Caves, had fun in different carnivals and was part of a mates group who went out for dinner.
Every Thursday he went to the Dubbo Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) for activities.
Jordan and his brother Joshua had an amazing bond and loved and cared for each other greatly, their mother said.
"I don't know what I would have done without them (Break Thru)," Ms Dent said.
"After school we wondered where he would go and he loves it and has made a lot of new friends."
Each year when Jordan celebrated his birthday his condition improved and despite the daily challenge of living with a severe disability he still managed to do well.
"We get out what we've put in him," she said.
Ms Dent said Jordan would be quite surprised when he opened his birthday present to find a new camera.
To celebrate this historic and proud moment the family would enjoy dinner together at the Dubbo RSL Club.
"My birthday wish for him is for him to live a happy life and to keep on being himself," she said.
Jordan was not just a "quite unique little boy" to his adoring mother but an inspiration and a gift of hope to other disabled people.
"Just because someone is disabled doesn't mean they can't achieve their full potential," she said.