Melissa Opens Up About Her Son Isaac, the Liverpool Fan, and His Health Struggles

Melissa Kearney, mother of seven year old Isaac from Kirkby, has shared an emotional update on her son’s complex health journey, describing the family’s recent months as overwhelming.

Recently (11th June, 2025) , Isaac’s mum announced that he has witnessed slight improvement in his hearing , this is the news we love to hear. It can only get better.

In her words -“Hearing test went well … They actually said his hearing has improved slightly. So his hearing aids were adjusted and Isaac will be reviewed again in 3 months”

Over the past 12 months, seven-year-old Isaac a spirited young Liverpool fan  has faced more medical challenges than many see in a lifetime. His family recently shared an emotional and deeply personal update about what he’s been going through, hoping to shed light on the complex and often unseen battles behind his bright smile and boundless energy.

Isaac, who was born with Wolf Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects development, has become a source of inspiration for thousands across the globe. Through the family’s candid updates on social media, particularly TikTok where they’ve built a following of over a million, people have come to know Isaac’s vibrant personality and his determination in the face of adversity.

Last year, Isaac captured even more hearts when he starred in a video alongside Liverpool FC stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk. He’s also had the chance to be a club mascot and visit the team’s training facility in Kirkby, unforgettable moments for the young Liverpool fan.

However, Melissa recently shared on Instagram that new health concerns have emerged. Doctors at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital suspect that Isaac also has craniosynostosis, a condition where the skull doesn’t develop properly.

“We were stunned,” Melissa wrote. “We’d never even heard of it before. They’re 99.9 percent certain, but they’re holding off on the blood tests until Isaac needs his next round, just to avoid any extra stress.”

During assessments, doctors also discovered Isaac was missing a collarbone, something that had gone unnoticed until now. Alongside this, he continues to live with a wide range of health issues: delayed growth, breathing problems, hearing loss, dental challenges, and developmental delays.

“Most of these symptoms we’d always linked to his original diagnosis,” Melissa said. “Now we’re starting to realise there’s more going on than we ever imagined.”

In addition to the suspected craniosynostosis, Isaac has now been diagnosed with severe sleep apnoea, a condition that causes interrupted breathing during sleep. He’s been advised to use a CPAP machine at night to help him breathe more easily, a difficult adjustment for the sensory sensitive six year old.

“That part really worried me,” Melissa admitted. “Isaac struggles with anything on his skin, especially his face. But we’ll get the right support, and we’ll just have to take it one step at a time.”

Looking ahead, doctors are considering full cranial and facial reconstruction surgery to improve Isaac’s quality of life by aiding his breathing, sleeping, and eating.

“It’s not what we wanted to hear,” Melissa said. “But in our hearts, we knew this day was coming. His skull is still wide open, and this surgery could make a big difference.”

Through it all, Isaac has shown remarkable bravery. Melissa described him as incredibly resilient, saying that when he does express discomfort, it’s a clear sign something is seriously wrong.

“He just gets on with it, most of the time. And his little sister Florence has become his biggest cheerleader, even if she thinks she’s the big sister,” Melissa joked. “She’s starting to understand more now that Isaac can’t do everything she can, but she’s so caring and protective.”

Melissa also expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of love from their online community.

“My inbox is flooded. I wish I could reply to everyone. But I want people to understand, this isn’t about sympathy. This is about being honest, raising awareness, and showing just how strong our little boy really is,” she said.

“Our struggles aren’t unique. Many families are facing similar battles. But right now, we feel like we’ve got the whole world behind us.”