After almost three months battling a life-threatening illness, Oakley Orange has been discharged from hospital.

The brave seven-year-old has spent the last 80 days in a specialist burns unit after suffering an allergic reaction to medication.

Now he has been reunited with his brothers and sisters at home in Empire Road, Strood. It was a day mum Lorraine admitted she thought they would never see.

She said: “It is a day that I didn’t think would ever come.

“I didn’t think I would be able to bring him home as he is now and doctors said they didn’t think I would either.

“He has been through the worst possible experience but he is a determined little boy.

“The change in him when he got home was clear. You could see the relief on his face.”

The family are now set to celebrate Christmas together, more than two months late.

Because Oakley missed Christmas at home, they have put up their Christmas lights and they will be cooking a Christmas dinner on Sunday.

Oakley was given a 65% chance of survival after a severe allergy to medication for epilepsy.

The Bligh Junior School pupil was admitted to hospital on December 5 when his condition rapidly deteriorated.

He was diagnosed with a skin condition called Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), where the top layer of skin becomes detached from the lower layers.

It left Oakley unable to breathe on his own and battling hypothermia. He could not speak, move or even open his eyes.

He has been treated at a specialist burns unit at Broomfield Hospital in Essex where he has been getting stronger every day and his skin has been gradually healing.

Mrs Orange said: “The transformation in him has been amazing.

“He went from being unable to move his legs to wanting to get out of bed and saying ‘Come on, let’s get these legs moving’.

“He is still unsteady on his feet and he gets tired quickly but he can now walk without his frame.”

"He said he wants to go on the bouncy castle. I’m not sure he is ready for that but, knowing Oakley, I’m sure he will give it a try" - Oakley's mum Lorraine

Oakley, who wants to be a doctor when he grows up, is delighted to have been discharged from hospital in time for a fun day being held in his honour tomorrow (Saturday) .

Mrs Orange said: “He is really looking forward to it. He said he wants to go on the bouncy castle.

“I’m not sure he is ready for that but, knowing Oakley, I’m sure he will give it a try.”

The fun day is at St Francis of Assisi Church Hall, Galahad Avenue, Strood, tomorrow from 2pm to 5pm.

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