The stadium was lit up in rainbow colours on Monday night for Everton’s fixture against Man United for eight-month-old Rupert Smith
Little Rupert Smith has a rare condition means he can experience episodes of paralysis, seizures, abnormal movements, breathing difficulties, and developmental delay(Image: InYourArea)
Everton’s new stadium was lit up on Monday night in a touching tribute to an eight-month-old baby from Wales who is battling a one-in-a-million condition that makes his life a constant fight against the threat of paralysis and seizures.
The family of little Rupert Smith, from Flintshire, asked Everton fans to come together for a minute-long round of applause to celebrate his courage during the seventh minute of the fixture against Manchester United. Rupert was seven months old when he was diagnosed with alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC)
AHC is an ultra-rare neurodevelopmental disease characterised by unpredictable episodes of paralysis, seizures, abnormal movements, breathing difficulties, and developmental delay. Rupert’s family began experiencing seizure-like episodes when he was just a few weeks old.
The stadium lit up in Rupert’s honour(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.)
Speaking before the match, when the Hill Dickinson Stadium was lit up in rainbow colours between 6pm and 7pm as a nod to Rupert’s Rainbow, the awareness and fundraising initiative started to support Rupert, his father David explained importance of the occasion to them. Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
He told the Liverpool Echo: “It means more than we can put into words. To see a club like Everton light up the stadium in rainbow colours is amazing. Football has the power to unite people and, in that moment, Rupert isn’t just a baby with a rare condition – he’s part of something bigger.
“Our family are lifelong Everton supporters. To now see the club will be lighting up the stadium in rainbow colours for Rupert will be incredibly emotional. Everton is known as a family club and right now we are a family who need support.”
David and Siobhan Smith and their eight-month-old son Rupert
It will be a special moment when the family will see they are not facing their battle alone. It will also allow them to spotlight the remarkable resilience of Rupert whose smile brightens the social media pages dedicated to updates on his battle against an extremely rare condition, managed by Alder Hey and Wrexham Maelor hospitals.
Offering a glimpse into that struggle David, 39, said: “AHC causes sudden episodes of paralysis, seizures, abnormal movements, and can affect his breathing. The episodes are unpredictable and can escalate very quickly.
“Day to day it means constant vigilance. We monitor him closely for triggers like tiredness, excitement, or illness. We carry rescue medication everywhere. He attends regular hospital appointments and therapy sessions. Some days are calm, others can change in seconds. It’s a life-threatening condition so we are always alert.
“He’s only a baby but he continues to smile through so much. Even after seizures or during paralysis he often manages a grin. As parents we feel overwhelming pride. He’s already faced more in his first months than many do in a lifetime. His resilience gives us strength when we feel exhausted or scared.”
For David and his wife Siobhan their effort in Liverpool on Monday and through their social media pages is also part of their mission to help their son Rupert access specialist treatment overseas. Although there is currently no known cure the USA is at the forefront of research into AHC and the family want to ensure they are best placed to access whatever help becomes available. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here.
Aiming to raise £1.5m David said: “Research for treatments and a cure are being developed in the United States. We want to be financially prepared to access specialist consultations, emerging treatments, or clinical pathways as soon as they become available. For Rupert that could mean reducing the severity or frequency of episodes and ultimately the hope of a treatment and cure that changes the course of his condition.”
You can support Rupert’s Rainbow and learn more about his courageous fight here.
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