Impact Stories

“Roman eats, breathes, and sleeps football,” says Roman’s mum Gem, “It’s in every single thing he does from the moment he wakes up.”

Roman, 8, plays in our Elite Centre and, as you can see, is absolutely wild about football.

Last year, Roman was diagnosed with epilepsy after having a seizure at home. Roman’s mum spoke to us about how his bravery and personality have impressed everyone at the Foundation, the role football has played in Roman’s life, and how he’s continued to thrive over the past year.

“Roman’s always checking scores from every single league out there and he plays constantly; be that for teams, for the Foundation, or just at home on his trampoline,” Gem says.

His seizure was a difficult time for the family, and Roman was in hospital for three days after. In typical Roman fashion, he knew exactly what he wanted to do as soon as he was out.

“When Roman had his seizure he was in hospital for three days, and the second he came out he was asking when he could play next,” Gem says.

“He went from having an MRI at 9pm to going to a game the next day at 3pm. The emotion I felt then was just unbelievable.”

Since his diagnosis, Roman’s parents have made everything as normal as possible – for Roman, he can just enjoy the football without worrying about anything else.

“We do carry medication constantly with us which can be quite tough,” Gem says, “There was a long time when whenever he went to football we had to tell the coaches what they need to do in case he has a seizure. They’ve always been incredible, though.

“He just got back into football straight away as if nothing had happened, and we try and keep everything as normal as possible for him. He’s just launched straight back into things and it gives him such a good focus.

“He enjoys it, and it’s really important for him to have that stability and continuity, to show him that, yes he has epilepsy, but it doesn’t change his game or his temperament.

“But it hasn’t had any effect at all on his stamina, or his constant need to play football!”

Playing in the Foundation’s Elite Centre has been a new challenge for Roman; one that he and his mum have relished.

“He’s been playing with the Foundation for almost a year now,” she says, “He loves the Elite Centre. He’s obsessed with pushing himself, he always says he wants to be the best player on the pitch. He loves a challenge.

“I think the coaches at the Foundation are amazing. They’re all so brilliant with the kids, and the right balance between being really encouraging but also making sure they get everything done, and you can see that in the kids’ development. It’s a joy to watch.”

When Roman faces a difficult moment in his life, he knows he’s always got a game or a training session right around the corner.
“Football gives me something to look forward, it gives me a good challenge to think about,” he says.

It seems that Roman’s infectious enthusiasm for the game has rubbed off on his mum; they now go to Brighton home games together and she’s definitely become a big fan.

“I was not into football at all a few years ago and now I’m obsessed,” Gem says, “It’s something we love doing together.”

“We love the buildup, talking about the games, going to and from the games, it’s just a joy.”

“Football clubs can have a tremendous impact on young people, and Brighton has played a very special role in helping Roman stay positive and focused through some difficult times. Brighton has been a constant source of happiness, motivation and inspiration for him.”