Katie Price said disabled son Harvey was ‘sent to her for a reason’ in an emotional interview with OK! Magazine to mark his 18th birthday.
The former glamour model, 42, showed her love for her eldest son in a touching chat, and slammed his estranged father Dwight Yorke for allegedly failing to wish Harvey a happy birthday.
When Harvey was born he was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Prader-Willi Syndrome, among other health complications including being blind due to Septo-optic dysplasia while he is also autistic, has an underactive thyroid and diabetes.
Unbreakable bond: Katie Price said disabled son Harvey was ‘sent to her for a reason’ in an emotional interview with OK! Magazine to mark his 18th birthday (pictured 2018)
Katie, who shares a famously close bond with her son, said: ‘I do think Harvey was sent to me for a reason. I’ve always had a caring side and wanted to look after someone. Sometimes I think it was meant to be.’
She added: ‘He’s the only child that no one can ever try to take away from me. The others have their dads, but it’s reassuring for me that he’s always by my side.’
Katie also has Junior, 14, and Princess, 12 with ex husband Peter Andre and Jett, six and Bunny, five, with ex husband Kieran Hayler.
The star, who dated ex Manchester United star Dwight, 48, from 2000-2001, also criticised Dwight for his alleged lack of contact with Harvey.
Absent: The former glamour model, 42, slammed his estranged father Dwight Yorke for allegedly failing to wish Harvey a happy birthday (pictured 2001)
In her 2016 book Reborn, the mother-of-five insisted Dwight was unwilling to accept the limitations of his son’s disabilities.
In October 2019, Katie also claimed it has been 13 years since Dwight had seen Harvey, and in an emotional video two months later, she pleaded for the former footballer to see his son.
When asked if Dwight had been in touch for his son’s birthday, : ‘No, it’s like he has no feelings for Harvey whatsoever. ‘The only thing that upsets me is that Harvey has a half-brother out there and he’s never met him.
She added that it was ‘never too late’ and that the door was ‘always open’ for Dwight to come back into his son’s life.
Care: When Harvey was born he was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Prader-Willi Syndrome, among other health complications including being blind due to Septo-optic dysplasia while he is also autistic, has an underactive thyroid and diabetes
Ex: When asked if Dwight had been in touch for his son’s birthday, : ‘No, it’s like he has no feelings for Harvey whatsoever (pictured 2001)
Katie and Dwight had split by the time she gave birth to her first child Harvey in May 2002 and the model has since criticised the sportsman for his treatment of their son.
The athlete initially denied he was the father after Katie fell pregnant, forcing her to undergo DNA tests to confirm he was in fact the father.
When Harvey was born he was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Prader-Willi Syndrome, among other health complications including being blind due to Septo-optic dysplasia while he is also autistic, has an underactive thyroid and diabetes.
Harvey’s Prader-Willi Syndrome means he suffers with a chronic feeling of hunger, resulting in the fact he is prone to obesity.
Katie explained: ‘I’d explained Harvey’s condition to Dwight many times, but he refused to understand it and kept going on about him being fat.’
Proud: Katie, who shares a famously close bond with her son, said: ‘I do think Harvey was sent to me for a reason. I’ve always had a caring side and wanted to look after someone. Sometimes I think it was meant to be’
A spokesman for Dwight Yorke declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.
The star celebrated Harvey’s milestone birthday, which fell on May 27, with a garden party with a sensory tropical frog theme.
Harvey was gifted with an iPad, colouring pencils and a pair of green Crocs.
Harvey was surrounded by his siblings for the party, with Katie saying she was ‘so proud’ of the man he had become.
Mum of five: Katie also has Junior, 14, and Princess, 12 with ex husband Peter Andre and Jett, six and Bunny, five, with ex husband Kieran Hayler
The reality star added that ex husband Pete had bought Harvey a TV for his birthday and sent his best wishes, while adding that she was on ‘good terms’ with her exes.
Speaking about her hopes for Harvey’s future, Katie said she hoped he would be able to get a job but that she’s not worried about him as he will be ‘looked after’ for the rest of his life.
Katie also discussed her stint at The Priory, following a string of personal woes, including being declared bankrupt and dealing with her mother Amy’s terminal illness.
Way back when: The reality star added that ex husband Pete had bought Harvey a TV for his birthday and sent his best wishes (pictured in 2005, while pregnant with son Junior)
The star said she was in a ‘much better head space’ and that she had learned as a result of therapy that all her problems in life were sparked by bad relationships.
She said she believes that’s why she kept having surgery, as she felt ‘ugly from the inside out.’
Adding that she now has self-love and is ‘mentally indestructible, she also voiced hopes that she will find new love.
Katie added that she hopes to add to her family but will turn to a sperm donor if Mr Right doesn’t show up in the next two years.
Reborn: The star said she was in a ‘much better head space’ and that she had learned as a result of therapy that all her problems in life were sparked by bad relationships