Ella Squires, a 19-year-old female football referee hailing from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, experienced a life-threatening situation whilst officiating at the Norway Cup in Oslo this past August. During the course of the match, Ella sustained a blow to the abdomen from a football that was struck from a distance of less than 10 yards, resulting in an unforeseen and significant level of pain. Despite initially attributing the discomfort to mere windedness, she was unable to complete the match and necessitated immediate conveyance to the hospital.
Upon examination by medical practitioners, it was determined that Ella had suffered a fractured rib which led to a grade-3 splenic injury, thereby mandating a life-saving surgical intervention to address the rupture of her spleen. Following a five-day hospitalization period and necessitating three blood transfusions, Ella’s health steadily improved, and she was eventually discharged. The gravity of her condition rendered her unable to carry out refereeing duties for a span of three months. Reflecting on her harrowing experience, Ella conceded that she had not comprehended the gravity of her condition and expressed gratitude for her survival.
In an act of gratitude towards the medical facility that facilitated his daughter’s recovery, Ella’s father has pledged to partake in a charitable cycling expedition from London to Oslo with the intention of raising funds. Those desiring to contribute to this endeavour may do so through the dedicated GoFundMe page for this noble initiative.
It is manifest that this incident stands as a potent reminder of the repercussions stemming from the neglect of appropriate medical attention. Ella’s narrative underscores the significance of identifying and addressing injuries, irrespective of their perceived insignificance in the moment. The potential gravity of her condition came to light when medical practitioners apprised her that a delay of even one more hour in seeking treatment could have resulted in mortal consequences.
This brush with mortality has imbued Ella with a newfound gratitude for life, prompting her to embrace a more appreciative perspective and a determination to approach each day with mindfulness. Her story also serves as a tribute to the fortitude and resilience exhibited by individuals who surmount such traumatic ordeals.
The LADbible Group has reached out to the Norway Cup for their perspective on the incident. The illustrative image accompanying this blog post has been accredited to Kennedy News and Media.
On the whole, Ella’s tribulation stands as a crucial cautionary tale, underscoring the imperative of prompt and comprehensive medical attention in response to injuries, irrespective of their seeming triviality. Her remarkable convalescence and optimistic outlook on life serve as a testament to the indomitability of the human spirit.