Rebecca Callaghan faced a challenging pregnancy in 2012 when doctors decided to induce labor early due to excess fluid around her baby.
It wasn’t until about an hour after Matilda was born that any issues were suspected. Initially, a large blue mark on her face and extending down her body was mistaken for a bruise. However, just 30 minutes later, doctors informed Rebecca and her husband that it was, in fact, a birthmark.
Two weeks postpartum, Matilda was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare neurological condition associated with skin abnormalities that can lead to paralysis, learning difficulties, and seizures.
Matilda’s health quickly deteriorated, necessitating her transfer to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, England. The parents’ joy transformed into deep anxiety, as they feared they might lose their newborn. “We couldn’t travel with her because she was so sick. Watching her taken away, we were terrified we’d never see her again”, her father shared with the Daily Mail.
Adding to their worries, they discovered Matilda had two heart defects. Despite the grim prognosis, she displayed remarkable resilience, successfully undergoing surgery. She also began laser treatments to address her unusual birthmark, a process that could take up to 16 hours to fully fade.
“She receives treatments every two months. The laser leaves her skin red and covered in blisters, which eventually heal”, her father, Paul, explained in a 2016 interview. He recounted the misconceptions from others, stating: “People assume we’ve somehow harmed her”.
Although these treatments are painful, Matilda is a cheerful child. Sadly, many stare at her or make hurtful remarks, even asking if her parents had caused her birthmark by allowing her to burn herself. “They only see the surface and make judgments. I wish they could see beyond the mole to the beautiful person she is”, Paul lamented.
In addition to her birthmark, Matilda faces vision challenges and struggles to walk. Yet, with the help of specialized equipment, she has taken steps on her own.
Despite her struggles, Matilda remains upbeat and resilient. “She’s incredibly stubborn; she’ll do things her way or not at all!” her father noted, emphasizing that she always greets others with a smile. The family regularly confronts stares, insults, and teasing, but they remain proud of Matilda. “Despite everything, she’s thriving”, her father said.
Now nine years old, Matilda’s family recently shared an updated photo of her in her wheelchair in June 2019. They have set up a fundraising page to raise £5,000 for a new wheelchair, enabling Matilda to enjoy her favorite activity: spending time outdoors, away from crowds. “We want to help her continue doing what she loves”, the page states.
Patrick Mahomes accidentally injured his Chiefs teammate, leaving him extremely upset and unable to calm down.
Patrick Mahomes may have made two big mistakes on the same play, which resulted in rising star Rashee Rice getting hurt. He had to be taken off the field on a cart, and it looks like he suffered a serious leg injury.
Rice looked to be in considerable pain as he was carted away
Patrick Mahomes threw an interception and accidentally injured his top receiver, Rashee Rice, on the same play.
After Mahomes threw an interception to Los Angeles Chargers safety Kristian Fulton, he tried to tackle the ball carrier but ended up landing on Rice. Rice had punched the ball out of Fulton’s hands, but Mahomes’ tackle attempt hit Rice’s right leg, causing a serious injury.
Rice had to leave the field on a cart, clearly hurt. He was very upset, with a towel over his head, as he was taken to the locker room for tests to check how bad the injury was.
Rice has been the Chiefs’ top receiver this season, ranking fourth in the NFL with 288 yards and two touchdowns.
Mahomes immediately knew he had made a mistake and watched as medical staff helped Rice, who was struggling to get up from the field.
With Travis Kelce not performing as well this season, Rice has become Mahomes’ main target on offense.
It looks like the Chiefs will need Travis Kelce more than ever this season, especially if Rashee Rice’s injury turns out to be as serious as it seemed on the field.
Rice isn’t the only receiver the Chiefs have lost this week. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is out for the entire season without even playing a game due to a shoulder injury he got during preseason.
The Chiefs also drafted a receiver, Xavier Worthy, in the first round this year, but they’ve had trouble getting him the ball consistently since his strong debut where he scored two touchdowns against the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, head coach Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are anxiously waiting for the results of Rice’s scans as they find themselves trailing the Chargers in the first half.
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