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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Aaliyah Rugg

Mum 'knew something was wrong' when daughter kept falling over

A young girl who was told she would "struggle" daily will make history this month as she puts herself to the test.

Mum Sarah Hill knew something was wrong with her eldest daughter when she began falling over and walking into things. At just four-years-old, Faith Robertson was struggling to speak and her parents pushed for answers at Alder Hey when "nothing made sense".

Despite initially being told nothing was wrong, Faith was eventually told she had a neurological condition Arnold-Chiari Malformation meaning she was rushed for emergency surgery. But since then, "restrictions" were placed on her as she was told she would "struggle" with daily life.

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Suffering from bad migraines and fatigue, Faith, now 11, has been pushing her boundaries and last year, doctors said those restrictions could be "lifted". Mum Sarah, from Toxteth, said: "If we were shopping, we'd have to put her in a trolley but her younger sister was running rings everywhere, nothing made sense.

"Since, she's been restricted to what she can do because of the surgery and the complications. But she's defied all odds. They said she'd never ride a bike or swim and she has done both. Every milestone they thought she'd struggle to achieve, she has.

Faith Robertson and younger sister Camryn (Sarah Hill)

"Her condition seems to have settled and although she has a lot of problems, she's learnt to live around them. She's pushed herself. It's aggravated when she's active, she loves football and can't play it so she became a goalkeeper instead, she's always finding the best solution for her."

Arnold-Chiari malformation is where the lower part of the brain pushes down into the spinal canal. According to the NHS, the severity of Chiari malformations can vary from person to person but symptoms include headaches, neck pain and dizziness.

Faith, a huge LFC fan, will now make history as she becomes the first person, and the youngest, to abseil Anfield Stadium for charity this weekend. Liverpool FC’s Harvey Elliott joined teammates, Diogo Jota and Calvin Ramsay, to officially launch the new addition to the Reds’ iconic home ground.

Faith was 4 when she was diagnosed (Sarah Hill)

Faith will not be letting her condition stop her as she aims to raise funds for the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association, who have helped her and her family in the past. Already surpassing her £100 target, an excited Faith has already raised over £500 as she is set to travel to Anfield this Sunday.

Sarah, now living in Scotland, added: "She's so inspiring, she has such a positive outlook and never complains. Some days you can see she's struggling but she has a happy go nature about her. We tell her her condition doesn't define her, she defines it, and we are patient with her. She knows it may take longer to do something but she's determined, she was 10 when she could ride a bike and that was through pure perseverance.

"When her restrictions were lifted, she was told she could find her own boundaries, and she instantly said she wanted to do this abseil when she saw it and she wanted to do it for the charity that has always supported her, she wanted to give something back and thank them for the support they gave not just her, but everyone.

Faith is a huge LFC fan (Sarah Hill)

"If she believes in herself and tries, nothing can stop her and all of these kids at the LDSA are awe inspiring. Faith's condition means she struggles, she describes it as an electric shock down her body and you can see in her face she's in pain. You can't do anything until it passes but she's so determined and this will be worth it."

With a drop of 100ft down the side of the Main Stand, this will be a "huge deal" for the determined young girl. Anyone wishing to donate to Faith can do so here, anyone wishing to book tickets can by clicking here.

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