With a range of disabilities and conditions threatening his life, Jacob Lake, 15 months, of Rutherford, has defied the odds to live and prosper but his battle for financial help is far from over.

But there is now light at the end of that tunnel with the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs issuing an independent report that could see legislation overhauled and the Lake family given the financial help it needs.

“I have read parts of the recommendation and if it is approved then we should be able to access the payments we need to help care for our son . . . from my point of view it does sound promising,” Jacob’s mother, Kylie Morris, said.

“But I still can’t believe this has been such a long hard fight. This new recommendation needs to be set in place so families like us can get help.

“Having Jacob has opened my eyes to how many families there are out there who also need this assistance . . . we’re certainly not the only ones.”

“This recommendation means a lot of work for the Government and my fear is that it will be seen as too hard.”

Jacob was diagnosed with the extremely rare congenital condition Goldenhar Syndrome shortly after his birth and as a result his hearing is limited, his sight is failing and he needs a machine to help him breathe at night.

He is also missing ribs, has undeveloped bones and muscles and no ear canal on the left side of his head.

Doctors predicted he would die before his first birthday.

But Jacob has celebrated his first year of life and last week took his first steps.

The Carer Payment (Child) Review Taskforce was launched in March – the same month the Mercury told Jacob’s story – to investigate the effectiveness of the payment policy for carers of children with a profound disability or severe medical condition.

Results of the report have now been issued with the taskforce recommending fundamental changes be made to the eligibility of the payment Jacob is seeking.