A SEVERELY disabled woman who defied medical experts for more than two decades was given a funeral fit for a princess today.

Two black horses tookSarah Swanborough’s white coffin through her home town of Didcot, and on to St Andrew’s Church, East Hagbourne, for her funeral.

Sarah died in John Radcliffe Hospital last Wednesday, aged 23, after suffering pneumonia.

When she was born with brain damage, curvature of the spine and epilepsy, she was not expected to reach her first birthday.

After spending her first five years in intensive care, the tireless care of her devoted mother, Janet Dineen, 51, helped her prove doctors wrong again and again, including surviving a major back operation 12 years ago when she was given a one-in-10 chance of survival.

She was well-known in Didcot for her love of life and mischievous streak.

She would have turned 24 on Sunday.

Reading out a family tribute, the Rev Jason St John Nicolle spoke of her love of shopping, singing and boat trips.

He said: “She was a lovely person to know – always full of life and never letting her disability stop her from conquering all she wanted to enjoy and experience.”

He added: “The best way to sum Sarah up is a tornado.

“Before you see it, you hear it, then come into contact with it, then as quick as it appears, it is gone, leaving behind a trail of destruction – magazines and books ripped to shreds, people diving for cover, and toys over the floor.”

The family described how she had defied medical opinion at least 10 times, leaving experts amazed at the way she battled her disabilities.

Mr St John Nicolle said: “When you come to leave today, don’t be sad.

“Be happy we were privileged to have a magical 23 years when the experts had written her off from day one.

“It is through the love that surrounded Sarah – her mum’s love, her family’s love and neighbours’ love – we glimpsed the power of God’s love.”