A Rangers-daft schoolgirl battling a rare disease was left speechless after her Ibrox heroes visited her hospital bedside. Freya Tootle was in "total awe" when the team's new manager Michael Beale and stars John Lundstram, Antonio Čolak and Alfredo Morelos made a surprise visit to Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Children on Wednesday, December 14.
The 10-year-old has been in the hospital for seven weeks after she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare and serious condition that affects the nerves. She first started experiencing pain in the backs of her legs in November, with mum Donna and dad Chris Tootle putting it down to growing pains.
However, her pain continued to worsen and soon spread to her neck, at which Freya's parents took her to University Hospital Hairmyres. Mum Donna said: "At first the doctors thought it was a viral infection and told us just to keep giving paracetamol and ibuprofen.
"But Freya kept deteriorating over the next few days so my husband and I took her to A&E."
After three more trips to A&E, Freya was sent to University Hospital Wishaw before being referred to the neurology department in Glasgow, where she finally received a diagnosis . Donna said: "We had never heard of the syndrome before and were just in complete shock.
"As parents, we were going through days of torture watching her thrash around her bed in pain."
While in hospital, Freya's left lung collapsed and she had to be put on a ventilator for four weeks. She was then put through two courses of antibiotics called IVIG and also underwent a plasmic exchange.
Donna said: "Eventually Freya started getting stronger but it did take a long time. Two weeks ago we were moved up to ward 3A where Freya has just continued to make good progress and is getting stronger everyday."
The youngster is now facing a year of rehabilitation before she is back to full fitness. Donna said: "It is going to be a long journey for her but she's got a real determination about her and she's feisty."
In what has been a difficult time for Freya and her family, her spirits were lifted when she received a special surprise from the Rangers stars last week.
Beale, Lundstram, Morelos and Colak spent time chatting to Freya before posing for pictures at her bedside. The youngster also received a goody bag from the players and a signed postcard, which is now proudly up on her wall.
The visit was organised by Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, who shared a Tik Tok video of Freya's adorable reaction when the footballers first walked in. The clip has since gone viral with over 370,000 views and 500 comments.
Mum Donna said: "It was a complete surprise when they came through the door. Freya said she nearly fainted when she saw them.
"It was absolutely wonderful and her reaction was priceless. To have your hero walking through the door is just an amazing thing. We're all big rangers fan, so it even for Chris and I, it was an amazing boost after the torture we've been through in the last few months.
"It was a really spectacular moment and an amazing memory out of a really difficult time."
Donna is now hopeful that Freya will get to spend a few days at home for Christmas, with the youngster saying that all she wants is to be together with her family.
Donna said: "Christmas is going to be very different this year, but as long as we're at home together as a family it will be magical. Freya is really close to her brother and sister, Kai and hasn't been with them overnight for seven weeks, so just even having that will be worth its weight in gold."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
