We recently became aware of the health issues facing ex-Leeds City Vixens and Leeds United forward Stacey Daniel. An absolute speedster and brilliant finisher, Stacey was part of the Leeds side that was promoted to The FA Women’s Premier League National Division in 2001. A popular and laid-back character, in her first season in top flight she was voted FAWPL Young Player of the Year, proudly representing her home city and happy to be playing alongside her mates.
Fast forward to 2018, when Stacey was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS), a chronic, progressive neurological auto-immune disease which affects the central nervous system. Unfortunately the disease has progressed since then and she now faces the real possibility of life in a wheelchair and totally losing her independence.
As former Leeds United manager Mark Hodgson said in sharing the news and urging people to help raise funds for life-changing treatment that will aid her in her battle to prevent attack after attack: “I know Stacey will not be comfortable in her decision to ask for help, she will be embarrassed. I think it is the bravest thing she could ever do.
“It makes me so sad to think about a girl who I watched terrorise Arsenal’s defence in a Leeds shirt, struggle to live a normal life.”
As Stacey herself explains in very candid fashion, every day is a struggle: “My MS has become very active and aggressive. Walking 50 metres I lose the ability to walk properly and I’m constantly tripping over and losing my balance. I have to sit down to put my underwear/socks on, I struggle all the time with the back of my bras, with zips, buttons, washing, doing my hair, climbing the stairs, climbing into and out of the bath, holding cutlery, a pen, a glass and brushing my teeth. I experience severe fatigue. The list is endless.”
For those of us who played with or against her (SK Ed: it wasn’t fun having to chase around after her!) or had the pleasure of watching her in action, and anyone else who would like to do a little bit to help, please visit the link below and donate whatever you can to help Stacey get the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and treatment that she desperately needs.
More info & link to donate below:
