Ryan Reynolds surprised a Newcastle 13-year old with a message of support following open-heart surgery.
Ivan Hollingsworth (47), from Whitley Bay in Tyne and Wear sent out a tweet on Tuesday evening for his son Seb. “How do we get a @MarvelStudios Superhero to send a message to our Heart Hero Seb?”
Reynolds, Deadpool star “Can you open your DMs?” sending Mr Hollingsworth’s phone into overdrive before arranging a video message which was played for Seb in his hospital bed in Newcastle.
“You can call me Deadpool, call me Green Lantern, call me anything you like!”Reynolds is a Hollywood star.
“I hear you’ve been going through it pal, and it sounds like you’ve got a ton of amazing people who love you very much.
“I just want to send my well wishes and send you all my love, and I hope I can see you in person one of these days pal – hang in there, you’re doing amazing and I’m super proud of you, alright Seb?”
Seb was born with congenital heart defects that required him to have surgery. “life-saving”According to his father’s account, he had surgery at 16-weeks-old.
His family learned that he needed more intervention prior to Christmas. On Monday, he received major open-heart surgeries.
“He’s 13, he’s been so anxious about this surgery for months, and it’s a lot for a 13-year-old to take on board,” Mr Hollingsworth, who is the chair of the Children’s Heart Unit Fund, told the PA news agency.
Seb with his father Ivan, left, mother Nadine, centre right, and sister Imogen (@Seb4chuf/Twitter/PA)
“We talk about kids being brave and resilient but in truth he was terrified. I was sat there watching him and he’s doing so well, but he’s in incredible pain and just feels rotten.
“I just sat there at his bedside the night before last, and thought he deserves something.”
Hollingsworth stated that Reynolds had not only sent his support to Seb but also been texting to keep in touch and invited the family to Wrexham AFC, his football club in Wales.
“He’s been messaging me saying ‘please keep in touch. I want to know how Seb’s doing’. Who would ever have thought you’d say that sentence?”He stated.
“Just saying ‘I really want to stay up to date. I know Wrexham is a long way away, but if you ever want to come down you’ve got the best seat in the house’.
“When people do things like that, they must get inundated. But it’s difficult to express the impact.
“Me telling him he’s being brave and how amazing he’s doing with his rehab, is kind of like what dads do. Getting a message (from Ryan Reynolds) is different, isn’t it?”