BRAVE NAOMI MEETS FOOTBALL HEROES

THERE was a wonderful surprise at the weekend for a courageous Annalong girl who has “a real passion for football”.

Little Naomi Graham was very excited to have Northern Ireland players Megan Bell and Marissa Callaghan visit her at Binnian Park, home of Valley Rangers FC. Naomi is making a “miraculous recovery” after suffering a stroke in February.

The two internationals surprised Naomi on her return to football at a Valley Rangers youth tournament on Saturday. It was an incredibly special day, as Naomi’s mother, Ruth, explained. “As parents it is always exciting to watch your children take part in a football tournament but Valley Rangers Football Club tournament proved to be an extra proud moment for us as parents,” Ruth said.

Naomi who is eight, suffered a stroke on the 17th of February and lost all power down her righthand side and face. She was unable to speak, eat, walk or move her leg, arm or hand. “Naomi had to undergo a range of MRIs, CT scans, and an extensive range of tests and investigations but with seven weeks of medical care and intensive rehabilitation in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, further and continuing rehabilitation and support from the Rapid Response Team in the Southern Trust when she was discharged, along with amazing answers to prayer, Naomi has made a miraculous recovery so far,” Ruth said. “She had to learn to walk, talk, eat but she can even run a little again. “Her teammates missed her terribly and her coach arranged for the team to get her a Northern Ireland shirt and she also received cards and gifts from the club to encourage her and to let her know she was cared for and missed. “On tournament day Naomi was able to join her teammates in wearing their new kit and she was able to have a little game time. “Naomi still attends a range of therapists as she still cannot use her right hand fully, still has weakness down her right side and physical and cognitive fatigue; she has a busy schedule of appointments each day but persistently and determinedly continues on her road to recovery. “Naomi was touched by Megan’s care and concern for her and was inspired by the effort and hard work that Megan has had to put in to get back into her squad at Northern Ireland and at Rangers after a period of injury.”

Ruth said her daughter has “a real passion for football” and added it is great to see women’s football going from strength to strength. “Megan had the opportunity to give out medals and awards while she was there and so many of the young people were ecstatic to see Megan and to get photos taken with her.”

Megan was joined by Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan, who also gave up her time to come down to the local tournament. The highlight of the day was when Megan presented Naomi with a trophy for ‘player of the tournament’ for the bravery, courage and determination she has shown not only to get on to the pitch at the tournament, but even the strength and resilience she displayed in the hardest of days over the last few months. “Her coach and teammates were such a support to her, they make her feel so welcome and part of the team even though she is not back to where she was before, and we as a family are blessed by the family atmosphere and love and care that all at Valley Rangers Football Club have shown her,” Ruth added.

Naomi was overjoyed by the personalised shirt from Megan bearing her favourite number 9 and also the signed match-worn shirt from Megan’s recent Scottish Women’s Cup final versus Celtic. “We have no doubt that Naomi will continue to go from strength to strength and we press on in praying for a full recovery. “Many thanks to James ‘The Drummer’ Newell for arranging the visit and again to Megan for her time and compassion. “We wish her and all her teammates for Northern Ireland and Rangers well for the new season,” Ruth concluded.