Parents in court battle to stop doctors turning off life support for seriously ill son who some experts think could live into his 20s

PARENTS of a terminally ill baby who were told their son has just one year to live have been forced into a High Court battle with doctors to keep him alive.

Frank Musselwhite, 39, and Danielle Manuel, 22, were devastated when little Rimari was born with severe spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) on April 10.

The cruel condition is caused by deterioration in the nerve cells connecting the brain and spinal cord to the body's muscles.

Rimari cannot breathe or swallow unaided, requires 24-hour care and a ventilator, and his parents say they were told he is unlikely to see his first birthday.

But an American expert has claimed UK doctors don't understand the condition and little Rimari could in fact survive into his 20s.

The tot had to be resuscitated after a difficult birth and was put into a medically induced coma for 72 hours at Northampton General Hospital.

But Frank and Danielle were shocked when doctors applied to the High Court on Monday to switch off the little lad's life-support machine and withdraw care.

The couple say they were not consulted about the decision, and deny their son has no quality of life.

They say he recognises their voices and deserves to be given care and a chance at life.

Frank, who is a full-time carer for his son, said: "Our solicitor said the court case may take up to 12 months and in that time it could all be too late.

"We know we might not have long with him, but now that small time will be spent battling in the courts rather than with our son.

"We don't have much money and feel powerless to stop this."