Although Chester Waterworth was diagnosed with severe global developmental delay (GDD), the brave youngster, of Wigan, Greater Manchester, has since defied doctors with his development
A three-year-old boy who doctors said would never be able to walk has ushered his mother down the aisle on her wedding day.
Chester Waterworth left mum Kim, 28, in tears as he walked beside her before she wed 32-year-old Mathew. She had been told Chester would never be able to walk after being diagnosed with severe global developmental delay (GDD) aged two.
But the youngster, born at just 5lbs 12oz, has defied the odds to reach the milestones doctors doubted. Chester, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, took his first steps in August last year, aged three, after support at a nursery that specialises in special educational needs (SEN).
Chester’s confidence grew and he wowed guests at Kim’s wedding at Charnock Farm in Preston, Lancashire. The mum said today: “I was bubbling mess when he walked me down.
“I believed he would never walk as he was so behind with his development, so for it to happen in the first place it was a miracle. Then for him to walk me meant so much and made the day so much more special. I am so proud of him.”
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GDD is diagnosed when a child is not meeting some of the expected developmental milestones like sitting up or walking for their age, according to the NHS. Chester’s first signs of this were weeks after his birth when he struggled to keep any milk down, which stunted his growth. Chester also had a floppy larynx, which he had surgery to fix.
The youngster was diagnosed with GDD in 2024 and Kim enrolled him to Hope School Nursery, in Wigan, who, alongside physio helped him walk. Kim continued: “To know that someone wanted my little boy knowing how difficult he can be is just wonderful.
“They told me they were determined to get him to walk and I thought nothing of it as we had tried everything. But when they sent me a video of Chester taking his first steps, it was overwhelming.”
And the hard work paid off at the wedding in November last year, which Kim described as “amazing”. The full-time mum continued: “It was an amazing feeling having him by my side.
“Even on the day I wouldn’t believe he would do it as he was still getting used to walking. But he proved as all wrong as everyone who came was touched by him. And it wouldn’t have been possible with Hope (the nursery).”
According to the NHS, GDD is diagnosed when a child is not meeting some of the expected developmental milestones for their age in two or more areas of their development.
