A WOMAN who was left with almost no chance of survival after suffering a massive brain haemorrhage and defied doctors to make a miracle recovery has now been voted Inverclyde’s Greatest Granny.

Rina Keogh was 36 with a young family when two aneurysms left her fighting for her life.

Her late husband Jada was then told that even if she lived, Rina would be severely brain damaged and unable to eat, talk or walk again.

But her true grit to fight back against all the odds has continued to inspire generations of her own family today.

Her grandson Steven Palmer wrote an emotional and heartfelt nomination on behalf of all her grandchildren and great grandchildren to enter her into the Tele competition.

Rina, now aged 75, has paid tribute to her family and expressed her surprise at winning the Tele’s competition.

Rina, of John Campbell Court, Gourock said: “I just spent the day crying when I heard I had won. 

“It was a shock when I was told they had nominated me.

“I thought it was some kind of joke, they are always winding me up.

”We are always winding each other up! It is wonderful and really cheered me up.

“I would just like to thank every single person who voted for me.”

Rina, from Larkfield, was left paralysed down her left side, blind in one eye and deaf in one ear after she was struck down.

She also ended up with epilepsy and spent months in hospital needing round-the-clock care.

At the time her family were young – her oldest Jim was 17, Neil, 16, Coleen, 15, Joyce, 14, Maria, 12 and Margaret Ann only five 5.

Grandson Steven, 29, from Larkfield, said: “Granda was advised to leave granny in the care of the NHS and go home.” But Jada refused to give up on Rina and eventually he took her home.

With the love of her husband, children and sister Nan, Rina learned how to walk again, and slowly recovered, living independently until a few years ago. Her children recall fiercely independent Rina sitting in the kitchen, cooking dinner and washing dishes. 

Sadly her brain haemorrhage came only days before she was due to set off for America to work and hopefully give her family a new life.

But defiant Rina has travelled to the other side of the world to visit her brothers in Australia 22 times and has also been to New York.

Steven and Rina’s oldest granddaughter Lisa McDermid, 36, today spoke of their love for their gran, the head of a large family which tops 50 when including great grandchildren.

Rina has 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, who are all in awe of their granny.

Steven, 29, from Larkfield, said: “It is amazing and our gran deserves it so much. She is so courageous and has battled through life. She is always there for us and has taught us that if you want something,  go out and get it.

“She is so full of fun and always has a story to tell.”

Rina has helped her family face a number of tragedies in recent years, first losing her husband in 1996, then her oldest grandson Allan McDermid, who died suddenly in his home aged only 29 in 2012.

Then last year the family were devastated again when Rina’s grandson Jamie and his wife Emma lost their daughter Lucy, who was stillborn.

Steven added: “As always, she brushed her own grief aside to support the rest of her family.”

Rina now suffers from chronic arthritis, but she continues to enjoy life surrounded by her close knit family. 

Now Inverclyde’s greatest granny will look forward to £250 in cash and a one-to-one make-up lesson with celebrity make-up artist Terri Craig at her new make-up school, YOU, in Glasgow’s West End.

She will also receive a VIP night at the bingo, courtesy of our friends at Mecca in Greenock.

Tele editor Brian Hossack said: “This was a new competition for the Tele and one that proved incredibly popular. We could not have had a more worthy winner of the contest than Rina.

"She is a truly remarkable woman and her story moved all of us at the paper. Congratulations from everyone at the Telegraph and we look forward to bringing our great grandparents contest back later this year.”