They had a worrying life-threatening start to life, but Inverness twins Donald and Scott Mackenzie have survived against the odds to rack up a near-perfect school attendance record.
Despite being born prematurely and suffering post natal infections, the Smithton Primary pupils have recorded an amazing attendance record which goes back to their nursery days.
The 12-year-olds have been honoured by the head mistress with certificates recognising their attendance, while Donald got a specially-made cup for never having missed a day of school.
It was a far cry from how they started in life after both boys were born five weeks premature leaving them susceptible to the infection that almost claimed their lives.
For Donald the issues began even before he was born when doctors notice on an ultra sound that he was suffering from a serious bleed on the brain.
At one stage the prognosis was that even if the twins did survive they were likely to suffer certain physical or mental disabilities.
Now their parents Marianne and Norman Mackenzie, who are originally from the Western Isles, put their survival down to being from hardy west coast stock.
Mr Mackenzie said: “After they were born there something every day. They had a common cold virus but because they were premature their systems weren’t strong enough to deal with it.”
Mrs Mackenzie remembered how Donald as the smaller of the two had “five lumber punctures and at one point we were told it was a matter of 48 hours – everything started shutting down.”
One day the consultant said to Mrs Mackenzie that she should come and see her sons and despite fearing what she would see she went with the doctor.
Mr Mackenzie said: “Donald stopped breathing one night and his kidneys packed in, they gave him everything they could and within 24 hours his kidneys started working again. Scott got home first then Donald got home a fortnight after that then they went to school.”
Since then Donald has not had even one day off school with illness, while Scott has had a perfect attendance in six out of nine years.
There was no more mention of the physical or mental disabilities which is important as both are ballboys for Caley Thistle.
Now, as proud parents, Mr and Mrs Mackenzie remain hugely grateful to Dr David Goudie and his team who they credit with saving the twins.
