A TEENAGER who was not expected to survive after falling more than 30ft from an attic window has made an astonishing recovery.

Now, Kimberley Dixon is preparing to celebrate the 17th birthday her family thought she might never see.

The teenager has defied medical experts to make a near-full recovery since suffering serious injuries in the accident in Darlington last year.

Her injuries included a fractured skull, shattered pelvis, broken leg, spinal damage and internal bleeding when she fell through the open top-floor window of her home in Greenbank Road, on June 9.

She lost about a third of her blood and suffered damage to five areas of her brain.

Despite her family being warned she could die, and later that she may not be able to talk and could be wheelchair-bound, Kimberley has fought her way back to fitness.

Yesterday, her mother, Lynn, paid tribute to Kimberley, who gained eight GCSEs and a place at sixth-form to study art while she recovered.

Kimberley and her family are preparing to celebrate her birthday on Wednesday, having also organised a "Kimmy Prom" party for her last Friday because she missed her end-of-term ball at Carmel RC College, in Darlington.

Kimberley said: "It's been hard, but I am through the worst. Now, life is brilliant."

Her brother, Aaron, 15, was at a friend's house across the street when he saw her fall.

Her mother found her on the pavement outside.

Mrs Dixon said: "I remember the night clearly. Aaron came running in, telling me what had happened. The ambulance crew didn't think she would make it.

"It seemed to take forever to work on her in the street, but neighbours said it was only a few minutes.

"Once we got to hospital, she was in A&E for three hours, then four more hours in the operating theatre."

A three-month stay in hospital followed, which included three weeks in intensive care at Darlington Memorial Hospital and The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

She received teddy bears, cards and messages from friends and well-wishers, and was sent a personalised video from the Carmel prom.

The school also organised a "pink and purple" day - Kimberley's favourite colours - in aid of the hospital unit that was treating her.

Kimberley struck up a rapport with her nurses and physiotherapists in Darlington, and to show her gratitude to the staff, a raffle was held at Kimberley's prom, which raised over £200 for the intensive care unit.

When she returned home in September, her family made her a purple wheelchair with racing-style rounded arms, covered in fur and neon lights.

"It was horrible going out in a wheelchair, but the purple made it so cool, and it made people smile," said Kimberley.

She can now walk unaided. She still suffers some problems as a result of the brain damage, and her left leg is shorter than her right because of extensive surgery to her pelvis.

"I can't go out by myself in case I have a fit, but most other things are fine. I still go to the cinema and for pizza with my friends," she said.

Mrs Dixon said she and children Kenny, 18, Aaron, and Jessica, 13, and Kimberley's father, Steven, were grateful for the support they had received, and were looking forward to a happy future.

She said: "Kimberley constantly amazes us all with how she's done, and there was a time last June I don't think any of us thought this would happen.

"Now, we are all looking forward to being together as a family on Wednesday to celebrate the birthday not many people thought she'd see."

Kimberley's prom- Page