Abigail's miracle baby is baptised

Abigail Witchalls, the young mother left paralysed by a knife attack, celebrated the baptism of her new baby on Friday - with her husband Benoit, two-year old son Joseph and their family. The baptism of Dominic Adrian took place in in a chapel in the grounds of their home in Little Bookham, Surrey.

Abigail was not expected to survive after she was stabbed in the neck while walking along a country lane with Joseph in April. Her injuries left her totally paralysed and unable to speak.

Although she remains wheelchair bound she has made great progress since the attack and is now able to breath unaided, speak, and move her right arm.

A spokesman for the family said: "They are absolutely thrilled with the new baby and so pleased that everything has gone really well. The Witchalls are devout Catholics. Since the attack they have been supported by the prayers and good wishes of their parish community at Our Lady of Sorrows in Effingham, family and friends and the general public.

After Dominic was born, on November 11, Abigail said: "I've found great strength and comfort in carrying this child over the past few months and it is such a blessing and joy to now finally see him face to face."

The family have set up the Abigail Witchalls Trust website at: www.abigailwitchallstrust.org.uk . The site will carry a progress report on Abigail's condition and accepts donations from the public to provide for her long-term care expenses.