In the grip of the virus crisis, Mia-Lily plants a seed of hope
WHAT BEGAN AS A SIMPLE HEARTFELT IDEA HAS GROWN MOMENTUM AND IS NOW BEING REPLICATED AROUND THE WORLD, WRITES BRENDAN KEANE
AN eight-year-old girl from Caim has come up with a novel way of conveying a message of hope during the current pandemic crisis and, in doing so, has inspired people in places like Germany, America, and Australia to do likewise and take up her idea.
Mia-Lily Ruttle is affected by serious health issues and has to attend regular hospital appointments.
Speaking to this newspaper her mum, Ailish Ruttle, said the family were chatting last week when someone remarked that, with many shops and businesses closed at present and children home from school, it felt like Christmas.
‘I didn’t think any more about until Mia-Lily came to me the next day and asked could we take down the Christmas tree,’ said Ailish.
‘I asked her why she wanted to take that down and she said we could make a Corona Tree out of it,’ she added.
Questioning her daughter a little more as to what she meant, Ailish said that when Mia-Lily explained her idea to her and the rationale behind it, it brought tears to her eyes.
‘She just said “I’m scared” and that she was afraid she might die or that other people might die if they get the virus,’ said Ailish.
‘I suppose it’s the difference in seeing the world through the eyes of a child and the eyes of a child who is sick herself,’ she added.
‘She is just afraid that if she gets it [the coronavirus] she could die.’
Mia-Lily, who in February was invited to Aras an Uachtaráin where she met President Michael D Higgins, is affected by a condition called NF1 (neurofibromatosis) which is a genetic disorder that causes tumours to form on nerve tissue.
In Mia-Lily’s case it has led to tumours behind her eyes and she also requires spinal pin implants.
However, despite all that, her enthusiasm for life is infectious and her inherent caring nature is such that she told her mum that she hopes the Corona Tree will protect her and her family and bring good luck.
‘My husband, Trevor, was cutting back some trees in the garden and Mia-Lily looked at one piece and said can we put that in a pot,’ said Ailish.
‘We did and then she decorated it with ribbons and wool,’ she added.
Ailish went on to say that when the Corona Tree was completed Mia-Lily’s anxiety seemed to ease.
‘Her own anxiety definitely seemed to ease up when she had the tree done,’ she said.
‘She is high risk and has to have regular MRIs but at the end of the day they all have to grow up into the big world and you want them to be able to live life,’ she added.
‘Mia-Lily did this because she has a rare illness and wanted the tree to keep us all safe and bring us luck.’
Such is the popularity of Mia-Lily’s idea that since her mam posted news of what she was doing on her social media page people around the world have said they plan to erect a ‘Corona Tree’ now as well.
‘She couldn’t believe the response that it’s received and that’s made her even happier,’ said Ailish.
‘It’s something that has gone viral but in a good way,’ she added.
Mia-Lily, along with her brother Lorcan (5), attends Gaelscoil Inis Córtaidh and the Principal there, Judy Uí Ifearnáin, said she was inspired by her pupil to erect a ‘Crann Corona’ at the gaelscoil.
‘She is such a little trooper and so full of energy that she inspires people around her,’ said Judy.
‘She remains the most positive, cheerful person, regardless of any difficulties that come her way and this idea of the Crann Corona would be typical of her positive attitude to life,’ she added.
When Judy decorated the Crann Corona at the gaelscoil she enlisted the help of one of the school’s SNAs, Jennice Murphy-Harris, and her son, Eadmond Harris.
Judy was also assisted by her daughter, Aine, and her daughter’s partner, Charles Piecyk.
‘ They just wanted to do it as well and all thought it was a wonderful idea,’ said Judy.
While it would have been great to have other children involved, obviously in the current crisis health and safety guidelines were adhered to.
‘Obviously, we exercised social-distancing when we were there but it was just such a brilliant idea from Mia-Lily that I thought it would be good to have a Crann Corona at the school as well,’ said Judy.
‘I often think the world would be a much better place if left to be viewed through the eyes of a child and they often think of things that adults just wouldn’t,’ she added.
Another family friend, Jane Harris, also spoke to this newspaper about Mia-Lily’s idea and described is ‘ brilliant’ but typical of something she would come up with.
Jane also works as a sub SNA in the school but is a friend of Mia-Lily’s family outside of work.
‘She is just such an incredible little girl and she has inspired people all over with her idea,’
MIA-LILY DID THIS BECAUSE SHE HAS A RARE ILLNESS AND WANTED THE TREE TO KEEP US ALL SAFE
she said.
‘It’s such a fantastic idea but is also simple to do and we have done one at home here too,’ she added.
Everyone involved in MiaLily’s story is now hoping people across County Wexford will be inspired to erect their own Crann Corona’s and decorate them in whatever way they wish.
Mia-Lily’s idea also inspired her good friend and neighbour, 12-year-old, Ann-Marie O’Mahoney, to compose a poem titled ‘ The Corona Tree’ as a tribute to her friend.