The Real Betis Balompié Foundation has paid tribute to little Paola at the Rafael Gordillo Sports City after concluding her season as Star Signing.
Paola began her journey in the club with the mission of giving visibility to all children who, like her, suffer from a rare disease. After this year, it can be confirmed that she has more than fulfilled this challenge.
Following in the footsteps of the first three Star Signings – Alba, Bruno, and Jesús – who did not want to miss their companion’s farewell, Paola has been the protagonist of the Foundation for a whole year.
Paola is a 5-year-old girl from Seville in the municipality of Lora del Río who suffers from Rett Syndrome. This disease is caused by a genetic defect on the X chromosome, which results in those affected having multiple pathologies and complications.
In Paola’s case, it affects her more mildly than other children, mainly affecting her speech, mobility, and understanding. However, most children with this neurological disease that mainly affects females have various cardiac, digestive, and respiratory problems at a young age.
Paola’s adventure in the club started off with a bang, with a presentation to the media and a press conference in a very professional style, as it was not just any signing, but the Star Signing of Real Betis Balompié. And so, the farewell was no less.
Paola’s farewell event was full of emotion. The highlights of her season as a Star Signing of the Foundation were reviewed in a video that brought tears to many eyes.
Subsequently, Rafael Gordillo, on behalf of the Foundation, presented Paola with a framed jersey with her name on it, adding to the collection of memories that Paola already stores at home.
The president of the Real Betis Balompié Foundation expressed the melancholy of this special day. «It’s not a goodbye, but a see you later, we know that another Star Signing will come, but Paola will always be with us.»
«This project is one of my favorites because I have a great time with it, in addition to being one of the most emotional and sentimental,» admitted the Betis legend. «When the four Star Signings come together, you look back and remember all that we have gone through together.»
A dream season
As explained by her parents, Yolanda and Jesús, this season has been a great gift for Paola. «The most special thing has been seeing her excitement and her evolution,» says her mother.
She has given visibility to both Rett Syndrome and many other rare diseases. Yolanda describes how, as a result of giving a voice to her case, even family members and people from the town have understood exactly what Paola’s disease is.
«It has been very nice to see how they help to give visibility and raise awareness, to make people know and see that these individuals have a place in society,» Yolanda says about the club’s Foundation’s work.
«The experiences of this year have been a gift for us, it’s something we never would have imagined,» says Jesús, Paola’s father, who says that if he had to summarize all this time in one word, it would be «incredible.»
A year full of anecdotes and experiences, where it would be almost impossible to choose just a few moments. Even so, Yolanda highlights the visit to the Real Betis Women’s team, where they were received with chants and much enthusiasm from the early hours. «That day Paola was ecstatic,» recalls her mother.
For Jesús, the most impactful part of Paola’s role as a Star Signing was seeing over 50,000 people at the Benito Villamarín applauding and chanting his daughter’s name on a match day.
Paola, also thanks to a new medical trial, has experienced significant progress. According to her mother, she is taking giant steps, especially in her confidence.
«It’s hopeful to see how she is progressing, as soon as she steps foot near the stadium, she starts saying ‘Betis’. For us, these things are incredible.» Paola has found this improvement mainly in her adaptation, confidence, and self-assurance.
The three previous Star Signings – Alba, Bruno, and Jesús – have shared many moments with her and have continued to be part of the Foundation’s daily life, and of course, they have also accompanied the little one on this special day.
Little Paola has captured the hearts of all those who have been able to spend time with her. Her joy and smile are already part of Real Betis and are the hope for thousands of children.
