Running had hardly been a possibility for 11-year-old Fremantle fan Emily Byrne for a good part of 2017, but on Saturday night she will run out on to Domain Stadium as Docker for a Day for Freo’s clash with Gold Coast.
Now on the road to recovery, Emily recently spent more than two weeks at Fiona Stanley Hospital, undergoing seven surgical procedures for a painful abscess in her right foot.
On Friday, Emily was one of 10 remarkable children recognised at the annual AJ Diamond Club Bravery Awards, and presented with a certificate, medal and toys from Freo AFLW player Kellie Gibson and first year players Sean Darcy, Griffin Logue, Brennan Cox, Luke Ryan, Taylin Duman and Luke Strnadica.
The awards are a long-standing tradition dating back to Freo’s first year in the AFL, and recognise the bravest young patients at Fiona Stanley and Rockingham General Hospitals from the previous 12 months.
To Darcy, being brave meant going up against the biggest and strongest bodies in the AFL – but the towering 202cm ruckman said he gained a new outlook from kids a third of his height.
“They’re brave kids, it puts life into perspective a bit,” Darcy said.
“Ten to 12 years olds who are not hanging out with their friends, not going to school because they’re in hospital for two months, I don’t know how they do it.
“They’re way braver than I am to be honest, that was something really special.”
After the awards, the kids were given free reign of the pool and waterslides at Cockburn ARC, and the first year players stuck around to enjoy the afternoon.
“Seeing the kids, they’ve been through so much but yet they’re so happy and positive,” Darcy said.
“It lifts us up, we loved it.”
CEO of the South Metropolitan Health Service Paul Forden said the children had also left their mark on the hospital staff.
“While the award recipients are some of our youngest patients of Fiona Stanley and Rockingham hospitals, they’re by far our bravest, most courageous and determined patients,” Forden said.
“Our paediatric nursing and medical staff take great care and pride in nominating the children and young adults who have been treated at our hospitals for these awards.
“They see first hand what these kids go through, how they face up to surgery, pain, being away from home and all manner of different challenges.
“Our staff can confidentially recall the names of these young people, some up to 12 months later, it’s because they made such an indelible impression on them.
“I’d also like to mention the mums, dads, siblings and grandparents who also should get an award as well.”
Emily's chance to be Docker for a Day comes thanks to the Fremantle Dockers Foundation, which will be recognised in Freo's round 20 clash with Gold Coast asthe 2017 Fremantle Dockers Foundation Round, highlighting a number of key organisations who have been assisted by the foundation.
