Sophie Birkin, 9, has both cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus, a brain condition that can be fatal
The mum of a girl diagnosed with a potentially fatal illness when she was weeks old has written a special invitation to her daughter's surprise birthday party - to her hero Birmingham footballer Jack Grealish.
Sophie Birkin, 9, from Stourbridge, has spent her short life in and out of hospital undergoing multiple brain surgeries, with the possibility of more in the future.
She was diagnosed with hydrocephalus - a build-up of fluid in the brain that can be fatal if left untreated according to the NHS- when she was 10 weeks old, and also has cerebral palsy - the same condition the former Aston Villa star's little sister has.
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Cerebral palsy is a lifelong group of conditions that affect movement and coordination caused by damage in the brain.
Sophie's mum has now penned an invitation to her hero Jack Grealish, who grew up in Birmingham and is currently on loan at Everton, as it would be incredibly 'exciting' for her to meet him at her surprise birthday party in May.
a young girl
Sophie with her Grealish t-shirt on(Image: Birmingham Live/Reach Plc)
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Sophie's mum, Sarah Foley, explained her daughter's conditions can mean 'living on a knife's edge' and always being ready to head to the hospital.
She told BirminghamLive: "If [hydrocephalus is not treated] it can lead to death. Some of the symptoms are sickness, headache, symptoms that you would associate with a normal sickness bug.
"There's always a hospital bag packed."
Sarah continued: "She's had three brain surgeries. There's the prospect that she's going to need more, there's no way of knowing. It could be tomorrow. It could be 10 years time."
a mum and daughter
Mum, Sarah Foley and daughter Sophie(Image: Birmingham Live/Reach Plc)
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Kissing her Jack Grealish shirt, the young girl, who has dreams of being a professional footballer, explained how she would "scream" if she ever came face to face with the star.
Sophie, a huge Manchester City fan, acted out how she would give Jack a massive hug in a sweet moment showing off just how 'happy' she would be if she met the footballer.
Issuing a message to Jack, Sarah said: "Give Sophie some time of day. She is an incredible little girl and I know that he would love her as much as everyone else that meets her, loves her, and it would just be so good to have a professional footballer, a role model, who's got background and experience in some of the barriers that Sophie's faced."
Sophie regularly plays football in Halesowen as part of Comets Pan Disability & Autism Friendly Football group, with Sarah referencing how the schoolgirl may be able to gain more advice from the pro player.
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"In football, he may have a bit more knowledge on things. He might be able to advise and just her meeting him and knowing that he's got that knowledge and connection would be incredible," she said.
Reflecting on the possibility of meeting Jack, Sarah went on: "I want to make things happen for Sophie. I can't do everything. I can't wave a magic wand and make everything ideal because it's not an ideal world.
"But if I can brighten up her life, because she's had such time over the years, if I can give her these little moments and reach out and get the right people to help me make those moments special. That's all I want."
Sophie has been a 'fighter' her whole live, with Sarah touchingly sharing: "Whatever's thrown at her, she just fights through it. Usually with a smile.
"She's so resilient and tough and I don't think people realise because she's got such a front, how much she does struggle everyday and she'll say that she doesn't - but as a mum I know the struggles she's got going on behind the scenes."