'Miracle Boy' Finally Returns Home After More Than A Year In Hospital

After 14 months in hospital, little Elliott Livingstone finally waved goodbye to Great Ormond Street Hospital, dragging his Thomas The Tank Engine suitcase behind him.

The two-year-old underwent a seven-hour life-saving heart transplant earlier this month and has spent more than half of his young life in the London hospital.

Elliott was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy - a disease where heart muscles become stretched and thin - and was put on a mechanical heart machine for more than a year.

Doctors fitted the youngster with a temporary 'Berlin Heart', which pumps blood from outside the body, until some parents came forward to donate their own child's organ.

1

The emotional moment the toddler finally left the facility yesterday morning was caught on camera and posted to a Facebook page set up for him.

Elliott's mum and dad, Candace and Adrian Livingstone, shared the photos of the long-awaited moment.

"The moment we have fought so hard for is finally happening," they said.

"Tears were shed. A million thank yous uttered. After over 14 months at Great Ormond Street Hospital, we are bringing Elliott home."

Now that Elliott's back home where he belongs, his parents say they're looking forward to enjoying the simple things in life.

1

"We don't want for anything fancy. Mundane and normal will do us just fine," they said.

"As long as Elliott is happy, we will be content with what we have. To sit on the sofa with a cup of tea.

"To sleep in a bed without plastic covers and duvets. To cook our own meals again and eat as a family. To live to a schedule dictated by us."

The grateful parents also had a message for the parents who made the heartbreaking decision to donate their child's heart.

"If it wasn't for a parent choosing to give life in their darkest moment, Elliott wouldn't be here," they posted on Facebook.

"We will never be able to express our full gratitude. If it wasn't for the NHS and their committed, dedicated medical professionals, Elliott wouldn't be here."

1

Elliott's dad is now taking part in a run to raise money for Great Ormond Street. You can donate here.

Words by Liam Bond

Liam Bond

My mum's on Tinder, so I have very little left to live for. @The0therbond