He was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, so tight his body had turned blue and the lack of oxygen had impacted on his brain.

Doctors said he would not be able to walk or talk -  he crawled until he was five years old. 

Mr Cruse received intense physiotherapy at St Giles and was one of the first integrated disability students placed into Tasmanian schools, when his family relocated from Launceston to the East Coast.

He struggled with study but with profound determination he has achieved beyond the medical professionals' expectations all his life.

And on Friday, the 33-year-old bought his own home at South Launceston.

``I was renting from 2010 to the end of 2013 . . . (and) I have been putting money into a second saving account to save for a deposit,'' the Cripps worker said.

``It's good (to own my own house) because I don't need to pay rent.

``The doctors and the others didn't think I would be able to do anything much, but I have.''

Mr Cruse's brother, Brett, said the family was extremely proud of his efforts, which had come through hard work. 

Mr Cruse could not catch a ball until he was 10, but ended up competing at Division 2 senior men's level basketball.

After early education difficulties, he left Newstead College with certificate 3 and 4 and diploma level IT and went on to earn business management credentials at Tafe.

He has a licence and owns his own car - making him 100 per cent independent.