Screenshots of foreign media reports.
Chinanews client, Beijing, January 27th (Reporter Xing Rui) Exactly half a month ago, when Declan Thompson, who was only 18 years old, represented the English Championship team in the FA Cup on Wednesday, his father sat Tears broke down in front of the TV.
At the moment Thompson got into a wheelchair at the age of 7, his family never thought he could stand up again and even become a professional player.
In the American movie "Forrest Gump", the protagonist Forrest Gump is an incompetent boy with an IQ of only 75.
But through his own efforts, he has created miracles in many fields.
Declan Thompson seems more like the real version of Forrest Gump. His childhood was the same as Forrest Gump, full of ridicule and ups and downs.
Declan's father burst into tears when he saw his son playing.
Declan Thompson was born into a football family. His father was a midfielder and his grandfather was a football coach when he was young.
In Declan's memory, he was taken by his grandpa to the arena to cheer for his father when he was very young.
And Declan also started playing early.
11 years ago, Declan's happiness came to an abrupt end. He was diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the femoral head when he was only 7 years old.
This disease is a common disease in orthopedics and a worldwide treatment problem.
Its disability rate is extremely high, and it will seriously affect the patient's walking ability and quality of life.
Declan only remembered that his legs would feel severe pain at that time.
This pain made him extremely difficult to walk.
His mother observed that he was always limping while walking, so she took him to the hospital many times for examination.
After moving around several hospitals, Declan was diagnosed and he was forced to sit in a wheelchair.
The doctor told his parents: "Your child may never be able to walk normally again."
Declan was interviewed by the media when he grew up.
For a 7-year-old child, Declan knew nothing about the disease.
He didn't really feel the pain caused by the disease until he learned that he could no longer play football.
For a while, "kicking" became a taboo word in this football home.
The family has a tacit understanding not to mention football topics in front of Declan.
But when he was young, he could still feel the frustration of his family and the cold atmosphere at home.
Declan's treatment began at the age of 8.
He goes to the hospital every week for physical therapy to improve blood circulation in his legs.
Later, he underwent multiple operations on his leg.
Declan is undergoing treatment.
Video screenshot.
Recalling that grueling time, Declan was most impressed by the pain he could not sleep all night.
He would cry for help from his mother, but no one could do anything about his pain.
Every night, Declan could only sit on the bed alone, watching the sun rise little by little outside the window.
If the physical pain can be overcome, then the mental torment he suffered may be difficult to make up.
Declan will never forget how the children around him mocked and ridiculed him when he went to the Christmas party in a wheelchair.
After a long period of treatment, Declan's legs have improved.
Slowly, he can walk on the walking frame.
At this time, the idea of playing football returned to his mind: "Seeing other kids playing football, I am very eager to join them. Whether I will become a professional player or not, I just want to enjoy the joy of football."
Declan's leg after surgery.
Video screenshot.
From getting in a wheelchair to learning to walk and run again, Dirklan spent three years.
When he returns to the green field, his legs will still have various minor problems, and the legs after many operations will never be as flexible as normal legs.
However, these inconveniences are no longer obstacles to the pursuit of dreams for Declan.
Last year, Declan Thompson finally successfully signed with the team he supported on Wednesday.
At that moment, it was of great significance to his entire family.
The hard work and hardship they endured has finally been multiplied in return.
After Declan completed his debut on Sheffield Wednesday, his father called: "We are very proud of you." The only regret to him was that he was affected by the epidemic and his grandfather could not witness Dirk on the spot. The most important moment in Lan's life.
Declan (middle) with his father (right) and grandpa.
In childhood, because his father was busy at work, the task of teaching Declan to play was given to grandpa.
Later, my grandfather suffered a heart attack and his body was not as good as every day, but his grandfather was always able to overcome the inconvenience caused by the disease.
This optimistic belief has always inspired Declan to overcome the disease.
After his debut, Declan framed the jersey he wore and sent it to his grandpa's house.
Grandpa hung it on a wall, beside it was the jersey worn by Dad during his first football career.
Declan is with Grandpa.
Screenshots of foreign media reports.
From the moment Declan played on behalf of Shey Wednesday, his life embarked on a new journey.
Declan is not satisfied with what he has now. In the future, his goal is to become a household name.
Can this goal be achieved?
We cannot know the answer now.
But when Declan was told that he would never play football when he was 7 years old, he proved with practical actions that there is no impossible in Declan's dictionary.
(Finish)