An 11-year-old girl from Warrington, Cheshire, has credited legendary heavy metal band Metallica with helping her cope after suffering a life-threatening stroke at birth that left her with multiple complex disabilities.
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Sofia-Rose Dobson was just minutes old in 2014 when she suffered a severe stroke. Despite no complications during pregnancy or labour, the stroke left her blind, autistic, and living with cerebral palsy, dystonia, and a rare form of epilepsy known as Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome (IESS). Her mother, Sarah, 48, says Sofia’s seizures can often be life-threatening, and her condition requires ongoing hospital treatment.
Yet, despite the immense challenges she faces, Sofia is described by her mother as “constantly fighting” and determined to help others, even while facing daily difficulties herself.
Sofia’s journey with Metallica began when she was just three years old. After overhearing her father play one of their tracks, she was instantly captivated.
“Listening to Metallica makes me feel safe,” she said. “It stops me being scared. It saves me.”
Sarah added: “It’s quite something — watching this tiny girl headbanging along to Metallica. But it genuinely helps her cope. She finds going in and out of hospital incredibly difficult, and Metallica gives her comfort. She could’ve just given up, but she fights all the time. I’m so proud of her.”
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Sofia listens to the band’s music every day during her 86-mile round trip to school and continues when she returns home. Her bedroom is filled with Metallica merchandise, including band-themed shoes and a newly ordered Metallica wheelchair cover. Her favourite song? The iconic eight-minute track Master of Puppets — a fan favourite from the band’s seminal 1986 album.
Sarah is currently fundraising to help Sofia attend a Metallica concert on their upcoming tour, describing it as her daughter’s “dream”.
Sofia’s life-threatening condition required her to be placed on life support just after birth. Doctors told Sarah her daughter wouldn’t have survived the same stroke had she been an adult. Sofia was even baptised in hospital, under the presumption she would not survive. But, in Sarah’s words, “Sofia had other ideas.”
At six months old, Sofia began experiencing seizures. She was later diagnosed with IESS, a rare form of epilepsy that affects roughly one in every 3,000 children in the UK. By her first birthday, she had been certified blind due to Homonymous Hemianopsia — a condition causing visual field loss on one side of both eyes.
“She only sees half the world,” Sarah explained. “She can’t go anywhere alone, and she bumps into things constantly. She’d love to learn to ride a bike, but she can’t. It really affects her independence.”
As she grew, it became clear that Sofia’s right arm and leg were impaired. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and dystonia, both of which affect her muscle control. Later, she was also diagnosed with autism. These conditions are believed to have stemmed from her stroke at birth.
Today, Sofia attends the Royal School for the Blind in Liverpool — a place she adores. “She loves going to school,” Sarah said. “The staff are amazing, and she really feels like she belongs there.”
Despite her own health battles, Sofia dedicates time and energy to helping others. She has raised funds and awareness for the Stroke Association, including cutting the banner at a Warrington Rugby Stadium match to highlight that strokes can affect children, too.
In 2019, Sofia was awarded the Warrington Guardian’s “Child of the Year” award. Her mother says Sofia remains driven by compassion: “She’s just naturally caring. She always says, ‘If I can go through it, others can too.’”
In 2021, Sofia was gifted a bichon frise named Matilda. The two share an extraordinary bond. Remarkably, Matilda can predict when Sofia is about to have a seizure — circling her moments beforehand, giving Sarah crucial time to prepare.
Despite the support from Matilda and her school, Sofia continues to battle serious health complications. In 2024, she underwent major surgery to correct her twisted leg caused by cerebral palsy and dystonia. She’s still recovering and continues to suffer from debilitating seizures, which, Sarah says, “make her drop like a rag doll”.
Sofia-Rose Dobson’s story is one of extraordinary resilience, fierce kindness, and the unlikely healing power of heavy metal. While her future includes many challenges, her indomitable spirit — and the pounding rhythms of Metallica — seem certain to keep her going.
“She’s just incredible,” Sarah said. “She’s been through so much, and still she smiles. Metallica may be loud and heavy, but to Sofia, they’re a lifeline.”
