‘Why we started a TikTok Account for Isaac’

“We’re so proud of what Isaac’s achieved.  We were told he might never walk and seeing him walk onto the pitch at Anfield with Virgil was unbelievable really, a miracle, and if it helps other families to see our story and feel positive and relieved about their own situations, that’s incredible.” She Added

Although Melissa still find it hard to look at photos and videos of Isaac when he was a baby and he had seizures, as he achieved those milestones she realised it didn’t have to be doom and gloom, and that was the point she made up her mind to face the reality.

“It was a young cousin who suggested we start a TikTok account for him to do that, and to show his personality and how he has brought us – brings us – so much joy. Every child and adult with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome is different. Some are in wheelchairs, some are non-verbal, others are more physically able, and I worry about giving the wrong message” She said

“Although I still find it hard to look at photos and videos of Isaac when he was a baby and he had seizures, as he achieved those milestones I realised it didn’t have to be doom and gloom, and I wanted to let other people like us know that. Melissa Added.

“But I think with any situation, having a positive attitude will always have a better outcome. Isaac is such a character, he’s always smiling, and he’s a lovely, happy little boy.”

“We were told there’d be a lot of publicity and it would be big, but we had no idea how big it was going to be. We’ve had people in Brazil, the Netherlands, the US, all over the world, reaching out and saying how Isaac has put things into perspective, that they’re going through a bad time but watching Isaac is keeping them going. And that’s amazing. There’s been a five-year-high in the number of Google searches relating to Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome so it’s also achieving what we set out to do – and more.”

Melissa, 33, works as a phlebotomist at a nearby GP surgery:

According to Melissa “The players were incredibly kind to him—so humble and truly sincere.”

“Isaac is absolutely passionate about Liverpool.”

“It all began when he would watch the matches and the build-up with his dad. Soon, he began asking when the next game was scheduled.”

“Isaac also developed an interest in playing the guitar, so we’d play Liverpool songs, and he would learn the lyrics, singing and strumming along. He’d often ask to visit the Anfield tour or head to the shop to buy a new scarf. That was his idea of a fun day out.”

“He became completely devoted to LFC, learning all about the players. Ask him what he had for lunch at school, and he might forget. But ask him who wears number 30 for Liverpool, and he’ll answer immediately.”

“Even his teachers use the players’ numbers to help him connect with his schoolwork!”

However, Melissa and her husband Alan, who works at Ford’s transmission factory, didn’t always have such an optimistic outlook.

Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome is an incredibly rare chromosomal condition, affecting roughly one in 50,000 babies. It disrupts both cognitive and physical development to varying extents. For Isaac, this means delays in learning and low muscle tone, requiring ongoing physiotherapy.

You can follow Isaac’s story here

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