Mega footy fan Ace inspired a whole team and fan community when his wish came true to be a part of the Brisbane Lions’ inner sanctum.
The 18-year-old of Narre Warren South has a condition called dystonia. He is completely reliant on his electric wheelchair and can only communicate through an electronic device.
None of this stopped him from motivating the Brisbane Lions footy team to win during a match at The Gabba recently.
He visited their pre-game training session after he was given the chance to have his dream realised through Make-A-Wish Australia.
Ace had the entire group in stitches with his funny wise cracks and inspired them with telling his story.
It was a special moment for everyone when his favourite player Daniel Rich presented him with his very own Lions guernsey.
The Lions coach then asked Ace’s mum Raylene Bryans if they could have the honour of her and Ace doing the coin toss at the upcoming game.
They also thanked her for everything she does for ‘their main man Ace’.
In the team’s pre game pep talk, the Lions coach inspired the players with quotes Ace made when he visited their training session.
“The team had to win for themselves but most of all they had to win for Ace,” the coach said.
And it worked. The Lions won!
The crowd was on their feet cheering for Ace and even the coach came up to him and his family and said it was all because of him that they won.
“We can’t put into words how happy Ace was meeting the whole Brisbane Lions crew,” Raylene said.
“It is simply life changing for Ace in the way that every time he talks about it or looks at the photos we see that overwhelming happy smile on his face.”
On Wednesday August 28 Make-A-Wish Australia holds its first-ever 24 Hours of Possibility Event (#24HOPE) to raise $350,000 to grant more life-changing wishes to sick kids across Australia.
For details on #24HOPE and to donate go to 24HOPE.org.au
