WHEN these triplets start school next week it will mark another milestone they have reached against all the odds.

When Kelly Buckingham-Garcia, of Great Bromley, found out she was pregnant with triplets in December 2010 she was delighted.

The 38-year-old said: “When I had the first scan I heard three heart beats, so I knew that I was having triplets.

“I bought neutral clothing because throughout the pregnancy, I didn’t check the sex of the children. It was a blessing, because you don’t ask for more than one baby.” However, the three had to be delivered by caesarean section 11 weeks early at Colchester Hospital when medical complications set in.

Freya-Mai weighed 3lbs 2oz and had hydrocephalus – fluid outside the brain.

George weighed in at 2lbs 12 oz and had a hole in his heart.

The smallest of all, Albie, weighed 1lb 14oz and required specialist care as he was so small and had a grade four bleed on his brain All three were transferred to Luton and Dunstable Hospital’s special natal care unit, where they received specialised individual care.

Freya-Mai and George had physiotherapy intervention and were soon transferred back to Colchester, while Albie required more care.

He has been left suffering with cerebral palsy, which affects the right side of his body.

It took three months for the family to be fully reunited at home.

Kelly, who helps run her family window and door business, and is married to seaman Paul, said: “We don’t wrap Albie up in cotton wool, but sometimes we have to remember to step back a bit.

“If people can’t see the disability they think that person is okay.

There are issues beyond what you can see.“ She said Freya-Mai is bubbly and always smiling, George is inquisitive and a fast runner and Albie has great memory.

Kelly said: “We have been through so much and I can’t believe that we are here.

“They deserve it, I think they are going to do great.

“These guys are 100mph all the time and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The triplets start at St George’s Primary School, in Great Bromley, on Monday.