The mum of LFC viral sensation Isaac says: ‘It’s not just his dreams that came true, mine did too’

But it wasn’t just the Kirkby schoolboy with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome who saw his dreams come true.

Mum Melissa says:

“Mine did too. We started a TikTok account for Isaac about two years ago to give hope and support to other parents of children with Isaac’s condition and raise awareness of the syndrome; and since the video went global we’ve been inundated with messages from people as far away as America.

“We’re so proud of what Isaac’s achieved. We were told he might never walk and seeing him walk onto the pitch at Anfield with Virgil was unbelievable really, a miracle, and if it helps other families to see our story and feel positive and relieved about their own situations, that’s incredible.”

“We were told there’d be a lot of publicity and it would be big, but we had no idea how big it was going to be. We’ve had people in Brazil, the Netherlands, the US, all over the world, reaching out and saying how Isaac has put things into perspective, that they’re going through a bad time but watching Isaac is keeping them going.

“And that’s amazing.

“There’s been a five-year-high in the number of Google searches relating to Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome so it’s also achieving what we set out to do – and more.”

Isaac went viral when a video went out before Christmas of Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk surprising the Liverpool superfan at his school, Northwood Community Primary, and inviting him to the AXA Training Centre where he met the rest of the squad.

On December 1, he was also a mascot at Liverpool’s game against City when they beat the Manchester team 2-0.

Melissa, 33, a phlebotomist at a local GP surgery, says:

“The players were so good with him, down to earth and so genuine.

“Isaac loves Liverpool.

“It started when he used to watch the games and the build up with his dad, and then he started ask when the next match was on.

“Isaac was into playing his guitar so we’d put the Liverpool songs on and he’d learn the words and sing and play along; he’d ask to go on the Anfield tour, or go the shop to buy a new scarf. That was a day out for him.

“He became passionate about LFC and he knew all the players. Ask him at the end of the day what he’s had for dinner at school and he can’t remember. Ask him who’s number 30 for Liverpool and he’ll tell you straight away.

“The teachers even use the players’ numbers to help him engage in maths at school!”

Melissa and husband Alan, who works in Fords’ transmission factory, weren’t always so positive.

Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome is an extremely rare chromosomal disorder thought to affect around one in 50,000 babies and impacts cognitive and physical development to varying degrees. In Isaac’s case his learning is delayed, and he has low muscle tone which requires constant physiotherapy.

“I had four weeks of my pregnancy to go when Issac was diagnosed and I knew nothing about it,” says Melissa, who also has a daughter, four-year-old Florence with 33-year-old Alan. “I had a quick Google but then thought I can’t do this now.

“When Isaac was born, I started looking into it and for support groups to find out more, but the one I found on Facebook was so centred around doom and gloom that I removed myself from the group.

“I stopped looking and thought I’d see how he developed, and as he started reaching milestones I began to feel more confident and more positive.

“Although I still find it hard to look at photos and videos of Isaac when he was a baby and he had seizures, as he achieved those milestones I realised it didn’t have to be doom and gloom, and I wanted to let other people like us know that.

“It was a young cousin who suggested we start a TikTok account for him to do that, and to show his personality and how he has brought us – brings us – so much joy.

“Every child and adult with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome is different. Some are in wheelchairs, some are non-verbal, others are more physically able, and I worry about giving the wrong message.

“But I think with any situation, having a positive attitude will always have a better outcome. Isaac is such a character, he’s always smiling, and he’s a lovely, happy little boy.”

As Isaac’s LFC video continues to get more views and fans by the day, Melissa and Alan are thrilled at what it’s meant for them and Isaac.

“It’s not every day you get to see your son’s dream come true, and it still doesn’t seem real.

“But having Isaac’s dream come true has made my dream, our dream, come true, helping other families like ours.

“We’ve been invited to America to talk about him and his condition with charities there and we’ve already supported other parents who’ve reached out to us, so who knows what the future holds. I just hope everything works out as well for other families as it has for ours.”