Danny Hirst, 20, was born with a hole in his heart and had it repaired by open heart surgery in Leeds when he was 11.
A year later, he had further open heart surgery to replace his aortic heart valve.
Danny told us how he feels about his scar, and how life is treating him as an older congenital heart patient.
“I never disliked my scar whilst growing up, but I was still afraid for it to be on show sometimes as I worried what people would think.
“However, as I have got older, I have realised what a great thing it is to have, I’ve learned to really appreciate it and to be proud of my scar as it is a great reminder of everything that I have been through to get to where I am today.
“After time has passed since my operation, I barely think about living with CHD as thanks to everything CHSF and the LGI have done I can live a completely normal life without the need to constantly worry.
“I am currently having check-ups at the LGI every 12-18 months with a doctor. I am currently taking warfarin and test my blood every 3-5 weeks.
“Scar Selfie day is important. It helps to show young people that there are people just like them.”
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1. Danny rocking his scar at the gym. 2. Danny works at The Dubliner pub in Newcastle. He is running the Great North Run for CHSF this year and is donating all his tips every month to his fundraising page.
“I haven’t let having CHD stop me from doing anything in life. One of the biggest helps provided by CHSF is my INR home-testing kit. This kit allows me to test my bloods regularly at home, instead of having to go into hospital to have them checked, which obviously is a huge convenience and lets me continue to live my life as normal.
“I think this Scar Selfie awareness day is important and hugely helpful to anyone living with CHD or a scar.
“It helps show especially young people that there are people just like them and that their scar is nothing to be ashamed of but celebrated.”
Danny has been an amazing advocate of CHSF ever since his first operation.
He appeared in a CHSF video as a teenager, abseiled down Wakefield Cathedral for CHSF last year and is now running the Great North Run for our charity in September.
We’re so grateful to young people like Danny who choose to share their story to inspired other young people living with CHD. Thank you.
We’re all behind you Danny!
Thank you and all the best for the Great North Run in September!
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