Paralysis fight girl is back on the pitch
Brave Ruby, 10, rejoins teammates despite having no feeling in her legs
A TALENTED young footballer lost the use of her legs after a rare condition left her suddenly paralysed from the waist down.
Ruby Herriot was rushed for an urgent MRI before medics diagnosed her with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).
The rare condition affects how the brain receives and sends information to the rest of the body – leaving the 10-year-old unable to walk.
The schoolgirl spent 46 days at the Royal Hospital for Children in Edinburgh where she underwent gruelling rehabilitation twice a day to learn how to walk again.
Ruby’s mum Leanne, from Edinburgh, said: “She was the fittest little girl, a talented footballer for her team, Hutchison Vale, and dancer.
“It all stopped when she was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder. “She was terrified, not knowing whether she would walk again. We tried to remain positive but battling the pain and the emotional trauma took its toll. She spent 46 days in hospital, relearning to walk. To this day, she still can’t feel her legs.” Now 12, Ruby is back on the football pitch but has been struck by new symptoms, including seizures. Mum-of-two Leanne added: “Ruby has overcome so much and continues to fight this terrible condition. “Unfortunately, a year to the day later, she experienced new symptoms – dissociative seizures, uncontrollable movements, tics and the continued difficulty with her legs working properly.
“We’re currently taking one day at a time and we try to be thankful that she can walk, although times can still be tough.
“Her biggest achievement is she’s now back on the football pitch with her teammates.
“Although it’s not how we thought it would be before all this, it puts the biggest smile on her and our faces.”
During her hospital stay, Ruby and her loved ones benefited from her interactions with the Play Team, who help distract and calm poorly youngsters.
Leanne said: “Audrey from the Play Team was a godsend. When Audrey saw Ruby at her worst, she still brought activities to distract her and kept coming back until she was ready.
“It helped so much to know that Ruby was content and gave us time to call family or get fresh air and gather our thoughts.
“Ruby enjoyed decorating the ward for Halloween and her and Audrey made shakers, which they handed out to the other children.
“This gave Ruby a focus and helped her to chat to others who were poorly too.
“These distraction techniques were so important and when we look back at the photos now, we always see a smile on Ruby’s face.”
The Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity urgently needs to raise £5000 before the end of April to continue this work.
FND can have many symptoms that vary from person to person.
Treatment includes rehabilitation therapy which is designed to retrain the brain.
We’re taking it one day at a time and we try to be thankful she can walk mum leanne on ruby battle