by Alan Jacques
A FOUR-year-old girl from Newcastle West with a life-limiting condition got the full VIP treatment in the city last weekend.
Taylor Rose Russell was born with occipital meningoencephalocele and a severe type of Spina Bifida.
Following a plea from her mum Mary, the Limerick-based Share A Dream foundation organised for her brave daughter to be guest of honour at last weekend’s annual Jeff Power Memorial Tournament at Portland Park, home to Summerville Rovers Football Club.
Mary was told on her first scan that they would be lucky if her baby survived two hours. However, Taylor has proven the doctors wrong and has battled on through adversity. She has been in and out of hospital since her birth, but is doing well and is now due to start in St Gabriel’s School this September.
Taylor also has cortical visual impairment, no speech and cannot walk but her mum described her as “a very happy content little girl that loves music and Princess Sophia as well as being in the middle of everything with other people and kids around her”.
Last Saturday, Share A Dream organised a winning outing for the brave County Limerick girl. At 12 noon a fancy car collected Taylor, her mum Mary and aunt and nephew at their home and whisked them into Portland Park, the home of Summerville Rovers, as VIP at the Jeff Power Tournament.
Taylor arrived in the grounds to cheers and applause to be met by Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Woody from ‘Toy Story’ and even a Minion who all put on a very special show for her. Taylor was presented with lots of gifts, then got her face painted and later enjoyed some delicious treats at the event before being presented with her with her own trophy
“I can’t thank Share a Dream and everyone at Jeff Power so much for an amazing day that was very special for my little girl Taylor,” said mum Mary.
Each year the Share A Dream Foundation endeavours to make dreams come true for children and helps hundreds of families throughout Ireland to escape from their everyday lives and just have fun. If you would like to support them in creating unique experiences and smiles for sick and disabled children across Ireland call 061-200080 or visit www.shareadream.ie.
