Twins complete paralysed man's family

Mrs Thomas gave birth to a boy, Iolo, and girl, Haulwen

A paralysed rugby player who was told he would never have children has become the father of twins - two years after his first son was born.

Roger Thomas never gave up hope of one day having children even though he broke his neck in a schoolboy game at the age of 17.

The 43-year-old and his wife Jayne used the internet to find a clinic in Los Angeles offering a new kind of fertility treatment called ICSI.

The couple's £25,000 quest to have a family of their own was supported with a bank loan and also a £5,000 grant from the Welsh Rugby Union's Charitable Trust.

The couple's first son Tristan was born two years ago but then the couple desperately wanted a brother or sister for him.

This time Mrs Thomas, 38, has given birth to a boy and a girl.

The couple are now looking forward to a family Christmas at their Tenby home with Tristan and twins Iolo and Haulwen.

"The twins are the best Christmas present we could have had. We are so lucky," said Jayne Thomas.

"Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I can't believe it's real. It's absolutely wonderful."

It really has transformed our lives and is a validation of what we have been through Roger Thomas

The twins were born at Withybush Hospital, in Haverfordwest, in August and the family is now preparing for their first Christmas at home.

Mr Thomas said he hoped other people would view their success in having a family despite his severe disability as an example of what can be achieved.

"We went against advice and against a lot of public opinion that disabled people should not have children.

"But everyone is delighted for us now. People say our story is heart-warming and we have taken a great deal of pleasure from that."

The ICSI treatment involves removing sperm under general anaesthetic.

Before Tristan was born the Thomases flew out to Los Angeles together but this time she went for treatment on her own as the clinic had kept some of her husband's frozen sperm.

The twins weighed in at 7lbs and 7lb 12oz.

.Six weeks the news that the couple were expecting twins was confirmed.

"We were so thrilled to have Tristan but we didn't want him to be an only child," said Mr Thomas.

"Now I have a complete family of my own which I do not feel I would have with donor sperm.

"It really has transformed our lives and is a validation of what we have been through.

"We are really looking forward to Christmas now our family is complete."