Stars make Liam’s big day one to remember
WHEN Abbie Davies found out that her big brother Liam would be spending his birthday in isolation, she was desperate to make the occasion memorable.
She issued an urgent plea on social media to some of Wales’ biggest sporting stars to send her short video messages which she could surprise him with on the big day.
And thanks to her determination and dogged persistence, she received more than 70 clips from famous people which lasted a colossal 23 minutes when put together.
As well as receiving 22nd birthday wishes from his favourite Cardiff City, Cardiff Devils and Wales rugby players, past and present, Liam also had messages from pop stars and actors.
“Liam has been a bit disheartened recently and has really missed watching the football, so I wanted to do something to lift him up,” said Abbie, 19, from Pencoed.
“I couldn’t believe how many I managed to get in the end. My brother isn’t the kind of person to show too much emotion as he’s quite reserved, but the smile of appreciation on his face when he saw it was more than enough.”
Liam was five years old when it was thought he had dyspraxia, a condition affecting physical coordination.
“He was a bit awkward when he was walking, but he was still running around and playing football with his friends just like any other boy,” said Abbie. “We just assumed he was a bit clumsy.”
But when he failed to respond to treatment for dyspraxia, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Friedreich’s ataxia at the age of nine.
The disorder leads to progressive difficulty with walking, a loss of sensation in the arms and legs, and impaired speech. He was also found to have a rare heart condition which is linked to Friedreich’s ataxia.
The former Pencoed Comprehensive School pupil has to use a wheelchair and needs help with everyday tasks.
“He now has medication to help stabilise him, but he will never get any better,” Abbie added. “But he’s still my normal, annoying brother and we’ve grown up together watching sport.”
Liam, who has had many Bluebirds season tickets and was a mascot for their FA Cup final tie against Portsmouth, was given a host of messages to mark his 22nd birthday on Tuesday.
Former Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock starts off the video, followed by current boss Neil Harris and defensive duo Sean Morrison and Sol Bamba.
He also received wishes from heroes of the past including Andy Campbell, Scott Young and Darren Purse.
“One of my favourites was [Sky football pundit] Chris Kamara who wished Liam an ‘unbelievable’ birthday,” said Abbie.
She also managed to get messages from Wales rugby legends Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar and Gareth Davies, as well as England star Manu Tuilagi.
Videos also came in their droves from outside the sporting world, including from 90s pop star Rick Astley and actors Jonny Owen and Vicky McClure.
As Liam is classed as in the highest “at risk” group, government advice was for him to remain at home for 12 weeks.
But Abbie said that the birthday messages made being in isolation a little easier to bear.
“He was meant to go and watch Cardiff City and Manchester United on his birthday, one on the Saturday and the second on the Sunday,” she said.
“To see all of those people take the time to message him meant the world to him.”
Abbie said she was helped by her boyfriend Shaun Carpenter, friend Jacob Davies and cousin Callum Witts.