Van Dijk said something special about Isaac Kearney
Van Dijk said something special about Isaac Kearney
The parents of a young Liverpool fan have thanked the club after they treated him to a day he will never forget.
Isaac Kearney, a six-year-old boy with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, was the recipient of a special gesture from the Reds.
Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome is an extremely rare chromosomal disorder caused by a missing piece of the short arm of chromosome 4.
As part of the celebrations for International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Kearney was treated to a number of special moments by Liverpool.
Firstly, captain Virgil van Dijk and star man Mo Salah surprised the youngster at his school, North Wood.
He was then invited to the AXA Training Centre, where he met the rest of the squad.
It was there that he was informed of the next leg of his mini adventure, with Van Dijk inviting him to be a mascot for the upcoming clash with Man City at Anfield.
Speaking about the experience, Van Dijk shared a touching message about Isaac:
“Isaac has a big heart, a beautiful spirit, and an inspiring determination. Seeing his love for football and his courage is truly special. It reminds us why we play this game – to bring joy, to inspire, and to make memories that last forever. Walking out with him as a mascot will be an honour.”
Kearney and his parents were asked about the experience during an interview on BBC Breakfast on Boxing Day.
Kearney said he had a “good” time, while his mother, Melissa, went into more detail.
“It was unbelievable,” she said. “Basically, children with the syndrome are all so different, they all develop differently. In Isaac’s condition, he has learning disabilities, low muscle tone, and requires a lot of physiotherapy.
“We were told that he may never walk. When we saw him walking on the pitch with Virgil, we were like, wow. A miracle, really. Just unbelievable, honestly.
“We’ve said every day since, it’s not every day you get to see your child’s dreams come true. Even looking back, it just doesn’t seem real.”
