Footballers and family unite to remember teen Bluebirds superfan Rhys
FAMILY AND CLUB UNITE TO REMEMBER 16-YEAR-OLD WHO DIDN’T LET RARE CONDITION STOP HIS LOVE OF SPORT
GRIEVING family members and footballers have united to remember a Cardiff City fan who died just weeks after being diagnosed with a unique medical condition.
Tributes have been paid to 16-year-old Bluebirds supporter Rhys Boggis. He has been lovingly remembered as a charming youngster who battled against the odds by his family and the football club which meant so much to him.
In the weeks before his death, Rhys was identified as the first person in the world with a particular health condition caused by a gene deletion in one chromosome.
It followed years of undefined health problems which left him unable to speak or walk.
But those closest to him have described him as a teenager who defied the odds to pursue his love of cinema, music and most of all sport.
Rhys’ mum Natalie said: “I’ve always said he was like a little celebrity.
“Wherever he’s gone there’s always been some kind of story or something that’s happened and left some kind of mark which we’re really proud of.”
A long-term Cardiff City ticket holder, Rhys, from Hirwaun, quickly became a familiar face to both players and supporters at the side’s home games.
His fans included the likes of everyone from striker Jay Bothroyd, who would send him a shirt or football boots every year, to Sky Sports presenter David Jones.
In a touching gesture, players Sean Morrison and Joe Ralls attended the teenager’s funeral, or “party”, on July 30 after forming a close bond with him and younger sister Carys over the years.
Heartbreakingly, the view from Rhys’ seat at the club’s stadium is something which will remain with him after being printed specially on his coffin.
Rhys’ dad Anthony said: “This would have been his 10th year as a season ticket holder.
“Chelsea was his first away game and we’ve been up to Wembley three times with him. The last away game was Man United at the end of the Premier League season.
“Rhys would go to sleep in the van on the way down like he was trying to get energy and once he’d get there he’d just open his eyes and be awake.
“I don’t know whether it was the smell of the ground or the noise but he would wake up and by the time the Men of Harlech played before they walked out he would be wide-eyed.
“I don’t know what his understanding of football or rugby was but all I can say is that Rhys loves music, light, sounds and noise so the louder the game, the better.”
Natalie, 39, added: “No matter what a rubbish week we were having, when you’ve got something like Cardiff City or a holiday to Tenby, they are the things that get you through the bad times you experience.
“It was always something to look forward to or aim to, to get him well for Saturday to watch the football.”
The walls of Rhys’ room are covered with signed shirts from his football idols and the times he went onto the pitch himself as a mascot.
An inflatable giant Ironman balloon also serves as a reminder of his love for the Avengers – one of the last films he watched in the cinema.
Along with a widescreen TV at the end of his bed for him and his sister to cuddle up and watch a film, for his family it was important that despite his ill health, Rhys was treated like any 16-year-old would be.
Natalie said: “We always said when he was younger he was going to have one enjoyable thing a day. Even if he was having a bad day or when he was ill it could even be as simple as making sure he had a massage with spa music on.
“He’s been to Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Olly Murs twice, Take That.
We took him at midnight to the cinema one time to make sure he saw the film he wanted.”
Anthony, 36, added: “I was always looking at what a typical boy [his age] would do. I would look at sports but Natalie would combine that with trips to London and West End shows. I always wanted to take him to watch the darts because of the atmosphere.”
Born a happy, healthy child, Rhys began suffering seizures from eight weeks old.
From there, he spent three months in hospital under the care of Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, where doctors were unable to put a name to his condition.
As well as an underlying neurological condition, his family were told the youngster had global development delay, severe epilepsy and severe lung disease.
Rather than become overwhelmed, however, the situation only served as momentum for Anthony, Natalie and nine-year-old Carys to enjoy every moment with Rhys – limited only by the facilities around them.
Sitting in their family home, the family list countless trips from Cadbury World to the Harry Potter studios that the family have enjoyed over the years.
Natalie said: “I’d have doctors telling me they didn’t know what was wrong with him. Then, when he got to one, they started coming back and saying he’d never walk, he’d never talk, life was going to be difficult for him.
“I had this fight in me that I was going to keep him here, at home, for as long as I could and that he was going to do things people didn’t expect him to.
“I always brought Rhys and Carys up to be close, closer than any brother and sister would be. Carys and him did everything together. Toward the end of his life that became more difficult but even when that happened she would sit beside him and watch films.”
Anthony added: “Nothing held him back, his disability didn’t hold him back, only [a lack of accessible] facilities did. He challenged all the barriers.”
Away from the countless concerts and holidays in Tenby, nothing has been more important to the family-offour than the support of children’s charity Ty Hafan.
Over the years, the charity’s base has served as a space for them to get away and spend precious time together without worrying about anything else, as well as connecting them to massage and music therapists for Rhys.
Natalie said: “We looked at it like a holiday. To see Carys so happy, running around playing, enjoying herself was priceless.
“Rhys loved water, loved lights, loved music but Ty Hafan was the only time the two of them could swim together.”
After Rhys’ unexpected death, he was taken to a private room in the facility to allow his loved ones to spend time with him before saying goodbye.
“When what happened happened, I am so glad somewhere like Ty Hafan exists because having them gave Carys, Anthony, me and all the family precious time with Rhys. I could go in and out of the room and spend time with him, talk to him. Carys got to play, spend time with Rhys, talk to Rhys, sing to Rhys.”
Since Rhys’ death, his family have been overwhelmed by messages and support from across the football community.
Now, as the new season begins, the family will return once again to their seats, determined to carry their Bluebirds legacy on.
In a tribute, a spokesman for Cardiff City said: “Rhys’ personality, charm and warmth touched many Cardiff City players and staff over the years.
“He’ll be greatly missed, and our thoughts and condolences are with mum, dad and Carys at this sad time. Forever a Bluebird in our hearts.”