The Bohemians women’s squad has teamed up with a brave teenager who battles an extremely painful skin condition to continue playing the sport she loves.
The Dublin club has embraced national charity Debra’s ‘Inside Out’ initiative, which shines a light on incurable epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as Butterfly Skin.
The campaign is asking the public to wear an item of clothing inside out on October 22 and raise funds for EB.
Leading it is 14-year-old goalkeeper Sophia Dawson, who lives with EB, meaning her skin blisters and tears at the mildest touch, particularly when playing contact sport.
Amanda Nugent, a former football player, and Layanna-Maria Aston, are also at the forefront of the awareness drive.
Sophia’s bravery comes at a cost: after dancing competitions or football training, the burning pain in her feet is so severe that she often has to be carried to bed.
The schoolgirl, who plays for Donacarney Celtic FC in Meath, is being supported by one of her heroes – fellow keeper, Bohs’ No 1, Rachael Kelly, and the rest of the squad.
On a visit to the club, Sophia told the players of her training and match routine: “I have to constantly take breaks and painkillers.
“I want to play during summer with my friends, but it’s horrible, I have a burning feeling in my feet, eventually it stings and I have to avoid walking for the next few days.”
Kelly said it was ‘amazing’ that she had the resilience to play through the pain barrier.
“Even us, when we’re playing on astro, we can feel a burning in our feet, but you are a credit to yourself and your family for not letting it stop you,” she said.
“It’s unbelievable what you’ve done, especially being a goalkeeper because mentally you have to stay switched on, and you’re also thinking of yourself physically. You’re an inspiration to so many.”
Alejandra Livschitz of Debra, said that the Inside Out campaign exposes the painful nature of EB and the limitations it places on many living with it.
“Sophia is an extraordinary young person who doesn’t let EB stop her,” she said.
“Her father, Mark, also lives with EB, and together with her mother Aisling and brother Alfie, the family endures the daily reality of planning, pain management, the emotional toll, and the constant balancing act between living fully and managing EB.”
On October 22, Inside Out asks people to wear their clothes inside out for one day to spark conversations about EB and to raise vital awareness for the EB community in Ireland.
Bohs said the club joined the initiative because it admired the determination of Sophia and others in refusing to let it dictate their lives.
“The fact that something has happened which is completely outside of your control, but you don’t let it stop you playing football and doing the things that you love,” Aibhínn Conway, Head of Community at Bohemians, told Sophia.
To support Debra’s Inside Out campaign, see debra.ie/insideout
