BABY Eric Woods is facing a life of hardship. The one-year-old was born with spinal muscular atrophy, a cruel genetic condition which causes progressive muscle weakness.

Many children do not survive the condition.

Since he was six months old, little Eric has been tube fed because he cannot swallow safely.

He has type 1 of the condition, which is the most severe.

It’s not possible to cure the condition, but research is ongoing to find possible new treatments.

Existing treatment and support is available to manage the symptoms and help people with the condition have the best possible quality of life.

Kind hearted family and friends are hoping to raise £13,000 to help Eric in the early years of his life.

He had a form of treatment to help his symptoms funded for life, but will need extra physiotherapy to allow him to move.

While the problems facing Eric could have left his parents despairing, the brave couple are planning to do all they can to give him the best life possible.

They are using the positives and how the little tot is improving all the time to help spur them on.

The inspirational way they are facing this head on deserves recognition and their campaign to help him deserves support.

It goes to show no matter how bad things can get, we can all find a positive way to look at things.

Life isn’t easy but it is how we deal with challenges which defines us.