A severely disabled young Fife woman who defied doctors’ predictions that she would die in childhood has been described as an inspiration by her grieving mother.
Kimberley Watson, who had cerebral palsy and was blind and unable to move or eat, died at the age of 21.
Mother Denise Watson said she was an amazing girl who loved life and added: “Doctors were adamant that she wouldn’t live past the age of 10 but she surprised us all.”
Kimberley was born with her umbilical cord round her neck and was abandoned shortly after birth by her young mum who was unable to cope with her disability.
Denise and husband Bob adopted her at the age of 18 months and were by her side in the family home in Saline when she passed away at the end of January after contracting pneumonia.
Denise said Kimberley was an inspiration to families who have to overcome disabilities and showed there should always be hope.
She said: “They said her brain would shut down because her skull wasn’t growing at the same rate as her brain.
“We’re not sure how she managed to survive to the age of 21 she just defied the odds all the time.
“We went to hell and back with all the times she went to hospital but she just always came out of it.
“She was just the most amazing girl who loved life. She never complained and was always smiling.”
Kimberley turned 21 last July, despite being told throughout her teens she had months to live.