Rhode Island woman has special relationship with Patriots

A woman from Rhode Island is extra hopeful for the Patriots to bring back a win to New England.

27-year-old Alyssa Silva developed a relationship with the team nearly five years ago.

“The team has just been so kind and generous to me and my family,” said Silva. “They’re all winners in my eyes.”

Alyssa was born with Spinal Muscle Atrophy, and has defied the odds against her thus far.

“There have been some low points in Alyssa’s life,” said Phillip Silva, Alyssa’s dad. “We always keep the high points, and a lot of the high points have been given to our family by the Patriots.”

In August, the Patriots gave Alyssa a new Handicap van.

Over the years she’s been invited to attend preseason and regular season games.

She has game gloves from Julian Edelman, a meaningful football, signed autographs and video messages from many of the players.

Robert Kraft has sent her handwritten notes on several occasions.

“When you see stuff like that it makes us all feel so much better,” said Phillip Silva, Alyssa’s dad. “Especially Alyssa she needs that little push every so often.”

She displays most of it on a shelf inside of her officer where she blogs and promotes positivity to people in her position.

“Just taking the time to send her a text when she’s sick, or send her a hello, or wish her Happy Birthday it means so much,” said Dori Silva, Alyssa’s mom.

Among Alyssa’s Patriots memorabilia is a hat that was gifted to her mom.

“Robert Kraft gave me the hat, I’m pretty sure he took it off his own head,” said Dori. “It has his initials inside of it.”

Alyssa decided to wear the hat after it was given to her mom.

“It kind of became her good luck hat,” said Dori.

“When it’s not Super Bowl Sunday it sits on the shelf on display and we don’t touch it,” added Alyssa.

Last year, not touching it, is what Alyssa believes caused some problems.

Typically, whenever she wears the hat the Patriots win, during last year’s Super Bowl, she forgot to wear it.

“I still carry that guilt of them losing,” said Alyssa. “Because I forgot to wear the hat.”

Regardless of Sunday’s outcome Alyssa said the Patriots are winners on and off the field but beating the Rams would be extra sweet.

“The Patriots have given me so much joy and courage to continue moving forward,” said Alyssa. “To be here, to see them on the Super Bowl again is remarkable.

Alyssa will be wearing her hat during Sunday’s game.