AT LAST SHE’S HAVING A BALL
United ball girl fights back from illnesses
TO the thousands of football fans watching her appearance as Newcastle United’s ball girl this month, Melody Sanderson would have looked like any normal, healthy girl.
But the youngster has had a mountain to climb after having three life-changing illnesses to contend with - all before finishing primary school.
Melody, 11, was first diagnosed with thyroid problems three years ago when her family found she would spend days unable to eat.
The North Shields schoolgirl then had to change her entire diet when a blood test revealed she had coeliac disease, meaning any exposure to wheat or gluten could make her seriously ill.
Just as her life was starting to get back to normal, she was dealt a third, devastating blow, when medics found she also had liver disease.
To save her life, Melody was put on a cocktail of medication, including a huge dose of steroids that meant she has already had to deal with puberty before turning 11.
But in spite of all her setbacks, grandma Lesley Wright says Melody has shown incredible courage, and fought back to win a place as Newcastle United’s ball girl.
Melody stood with the Toon Army for their match against Arsenal after Bob Moncur chose her as the winner of a competition run by supply teaching agency First Class Supply.
“It was an amazing day, and very emotional with everything she’s been through,” said Lesley, 51.
Melody’s troubles started three years ago when she “just seemed to be poorly all the time”.
“She would be eating fine one minute then be off her food the next,” Lesley said.
“The doctor ran a blood test and discovered she had thyroid problems, but she was still poorly even after being put on medication.”
Melody was then diagnosed with coeliac disease - an autoimmune disorder caused by an intolerance to gluten. The condition means she will be struck down with headaches, tiredness, bloating and nausea for up to a month if she eats any wheat.
Lesley said: “That was a real low point because she thought she was going to die. To a little girl she thought it meant she couldn’t have any more food.
“It’s changed all our lives totally, I’ve had to change things in the kitchen to avoid any cross-contamination.
“Nine times out of 10 she can’t eat what I would eat, and it has to be cooked separately. She has to have her own chopping board, even her own little freezer.
“She has to take her own packed lunches to school to be on the safe side, and going out to eat is a big no no at the minute. I think if you asked her what she misses most it would be going to McDonalds, but she’s adapted incredibly well.”
Melody started to recover from her constant sickness, before being struck by a third misfortune in less than three years.
Lesley said: “We’d just started to think: ‘Ok, we can deal with this,’ but then we found out she had liver disease as well. It was a massive shock.
“They gave her a massive dose of steroids which changed her body completely.”
Although the liver disease will probably mean Melody is on medication for the rest of her life, she hasn’t let her problems faze her.
“She still loves running about and being active,” said proud Lesley. “At the minute she just seems to be a happy, healthy little girl.”
Melody’s fighting spirit was rewarded when her school, Whitehouse Primary, entered her into a competition to appear as a ball girl at St James’s Park.
Steph Boulton, director of First Class Supply, said: “We were inundated with entries from pupils across the North East, and were delighted with this decision. Melody really is an amazing youngster who has had to handle a lot in the past.
Headteacher, Rachel Woods, said: “Melody has to cope with a long term severe illness which causes her a great deal of discomfort, yet despite this, she attends school every day she can, works hard and smiles, even when she is unwell.
“She did an amazing job at the Newcastle v Arsenal football match, and those who were invited to watch the game must be extremely proud.”