Steven

My name is Steven, I’m 36 and I was born with a complex heart condition.

Born 5th April 1990, my mum noticed after a few weeks I had a little cough that didn’t seem to get better. After a few trips to the GP, my mum was given the “benefit of the doubt” and was sent for a scan.

They discovered I was in heart failure and needed an emergency operation at just 6 weeks old – I needed a band around my heart.

Growing up with my condition, it was really tough not being able to join in with certain activities.

When I was really young, I didn’t know what was going on and didn’t notice my CHD as much. But as I got to around nine or ten and into my early teens I found it hard. I had to really limit myself in things like PE, games and even things like keeping up with my peers.

When I was around 14/15, I did have to deal with bullying, people called me “Blue” and the questions I got asked every day like “Why are your lips so blue?” and “Why are you fingernails like that?” (I had clubbed fingers) Again this just brought my condition to the forefront.

At the age of 19, I had my second operation I my Glenn shunt – which drastically helped with my quality of life.

I’m now 36, living a relatively ordinary life with two healthy children of my own and a beautiful wife. I just wanted to share my story to maybe give hope to those who feel there is none and say that things will get better. “It’s always darkest before the dawn” is something I always got told.

I just think Children’s Heart Surgery Fund is an incredible charity that I have done a lot of fundraising for. The support offered to my mum and dad when I was younger was brilliant. Thank you CHSF!