Always a country music lover, Marissa English of Ohio finds particular comfort and solace in Keith Urban’s music.
At just twenty-five, Marissa battles a myriad of health problems including hydrocephalus, an inoperable cyst on her brain, cerebral palsy, and severe scoliosis. She has been hospitalized at Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio for several weeks, hoping she’d recover in time to see her favorite artist perform at the nearby Huntington Center.
Facebook
Sadly, as the concert date approached it became clear that there was no way Marissa would be well enough to attend. Things looked dire for Marissa’s dream of meeting Keith in person until a group of nurses at the hospital took matters into their own hands. The nurses launched a social media campaign, asking Keith to come visit his biggest fan in the hospital before his show, and thanks to the power of the internet — it worked!
“A few nurses made it their mission to make her dream come true,”said Marissa’s mother, Marlise Matthews. “They started a social media blitz that just took off like crazy to get Keith’s attention.â€
Facebook
The country superstar took a break from his rigorous rehearsal schedule to come by Mercy Health to spend some time with Marissa. He sat and talked to his biggest fan, stroking her hand and chatting amiably with the hospital staff and family members.
Keith even gave Marissa a taste of the concert he’d give later that night, singing her favorite song, “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” The video of Keith’s serenade went viral online, and it’s simply impossible not to get a but teary when you see the tenderness in his voice and touch. He seems to truly care for Marissa as if she were a member of his own family.
TODAY
“The visit was truly amazing,”Marlise gushed. “Keith was so compassionate with her. He held her hand while he talked to her and sang to her.â€
Facebook
“The entire time he was there, it was like she was almost back to her old self,”said Marissa’s sister, Madison Rowe. “Her entire face lit up, and she wanted to talk and sing and smile. For Marissa, this was a wish of a lifetime come true.â€
After he’d finished singing to her, Keith gave her a tender kiss on the cheek. Marlise explained that her daughter seemed instantly relaxed around her idol; his presence had a calming effect for all who witnessed their interaction.
TODAY
“She calmed down so much while he was here,”she said. “Her heart rate dropped a lot, and her blood pressure was the best that it had been in days.â€
Keith spent about an hour with Marissa, and before he left he was sure to invite her family and a pediatric ICU nurse to attend his concert later. But he wasn’t finished bestowing blessings upon the English family just yet!
Before the show began, Keith called attention to his guests and dedicated that night’s show to his “biggest fan, Marissa.”
“It was so emotional. The whole venue broke out in applause… A lot of tears from everyone there,” said Marlise.
What a wonderful way to give back to a fan! Thank you Keith, and we hope you get well soon, Marissa.
Watch Keith Urban sing to his biggest fan in the video below, and be sure to share the love and light even further.
Share your story & inspire the world.
If you have an uplifting story we would love to hear about it! Share it with us here.
Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.
