Born seven weeks premature on October 24, 1988 David was given a one percent chance of survival after being born with a severe respiratory condition and heart problems.

Doctors told his parents, former Peel police superintendant David Parkinson and his wife Gail, that young David would die or suffer serious health problems.

He was born with hyaline membrane disease, in which his lungs were encased in membrane making it difficult for him to breathe.

David was transferred from St John of God Hospital in Subiaco to King Edward Memorial Hospital and spent the first two months of his life in intensive care and on 100 percent oxygen.

At King Edward he was on row one of eight, for the most seriously ill babies, for about five days.

The Parkinsons were allowed to bring their precious second child home two days before Christmas in 1988.

They endured many sleepless nights and had to keep a very close eye on their new baby.

But the future could not look brighter for David, who celebrated his 21st birthday with family and friends at the family’s holiday home in Mandurah on the weekend.

“He is a perfect picture of health,” Mr Parkinson said.

Mr Parkinson said his son became very strong, both mentally and physically, after his ordeal as an infant.

And it’s clear to see that David jnr has gone from strength to strength in his life.

He is a fourth year engineering student at the University of WA, practises martial arts and is a true inspiration to his parents.

“What started as a hellish experience has turned out to be a wonderful thing,” Mr Parkinson said.