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Everton star Phil Neville's daughter overcame her cerebral palsy to kick a football like d
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August 18, 2008
After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy doctors believed Phil Neville's daughter Isabella may never walk.
But the plucky youngster proved them wrong when she took her first steps at age two.
And this is the heart-warming moment when the Everton star's four-year-old shows nothing can hold her back as she joyfully kicks a football.Isabella was taking part in a charity fundraiser for the new Children's Hospital Appeal in Manchester.
Five-year-old brother Harvey and mother Julie also took part in the event which was held at Asda in Longsight.
In the past the couple have spoken of their devastation at Isabella's diagnosis at 18 months and their joy when she took her first steps.
Julie had first taken Isabella to see a paediatrician when she was 18 months old after trusting her 'mother's instinct' that something wasn't right with her daughter, who had been born prematurely.
While she was waiting for test results, Julie, 31, researched the symptoms Isabella was showing and suggested to doctors she had cerebral palsy before the experts confirmed her fears.
The couple were then told of the problems she may encounter, from eyesight problems to hearing loss, learning difficulties and trouble with mobility.The chances of walking were put at less than one in two.
But her dedicated parents resolved to do everything possible to give her the chance of a normal life - which started with walking.
As well as the rail fitted to their home, Isabella was fitted with a special brace and leg splints which she would have to wear 24 hours a day.
After many tears, she got used to the splints and with the help of a walking frame began to take her first faltering steps.
On Christmas Day last year, she finally took her first steps on her own.Julie said: 'She is mentally very bright - just the same as all her friends at nursery.
'We are determined that Isabella must never feel sorry for herself because she has a disability: she has got so much else going for her. In every other way she is such a normal and happy little girl But we know she still has a lot of difficulties to face in the future.'
But the plucky youngster proved them wrong when she took her first steps at age two.
And this is the heart-warming moment when the Everton star's four-year-old shows nothing can hold her back as she joyfully kicks a football.Isabella was taking part in a charity fundraiser for the new Children's Hospital Appeal in Manchester.
Five-year-old brother Harvey and mother Julie also took part in the event which was held at Asda in Longsight.
In the past the couple have spoken of their devastation at Isabella's diagnosis at 18 months and their joy when she took her first steps.
Julie had first taken Isabella to see a paediatrician when she was 18 months old after trusting her 'mother's instinct' that something wasn't right with her daughter, who had been born prematurely.
While she was waiting for test results, Julie, 31, researched the symptoms Isabella was showing and suggested to doctors she had cerebral palsy before the experts confirmed her fears.
The couple were then told of the problems she may encounter, from eyesight problems to hearing loss, learning difficulties and trouble with mobility.The chances of walking were put at less than one in two.
But her dedicated parents resolved to do everything possible to give her the chance of a normal life - which started with walking.
As well as the rail fitted to their home, Isabella was fitted with a special brace and leg splints which she would have to wear 24 hours a day.
After many tears, she got used to the splints and with the help of a walking frame began to take her first faltering steps.
On Christmas Day last year, she finally took her first steps on her own.Julie said: 'She is mentally very bright - just the same as all her friends at nursery.
'We are determined that Isabella must never feel sorry for herself because she has a disability: she has got so much else going for her. In every other way she is such a normal and happy little girl But we know she still has a lot of difficulties to face in the future.'
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