Jessica Thomas, 13, excels at dancing after overcoming heart defect
A teenager who had an eight-hour open heart operation at just six months old has been described as ‘inspirational’ after excelling as a dancer.
Jessica doesn’t let her heart condition hold her back. She does 13 dance classes a week!
Jessica Thomas, from Norton, was born with an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), which is a hole in the top and bottom chambers of her heart.
The 13-year-old has since gone on to enjoy a wide range of dance from ballet and tap and to musical theatre and street – attending over a dozen classes a week.
She now has twice yearly scans at an outreach clinic of the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit in York, but is doing well.
Jessica’s mum, Katrina, said:
“We found out about Jessica’s heart defect at the 12-week scan.
“Initially they thought she might have Down Syndrome but this turned out not to be the case and at around 20 weeks we found out Jessica had a heart defect.
“It was a worrying pregnancy but other than being small she did remarkably well.
“We remained positive and the eight-hour surgery went ahead. That was a long day.”
Katrina said that due to Jessica’s heart defect she enrolled her in the Norton-based dance school, Dance Expression, aged the age of three.
“This was purely as I thought it would keep her fit, but she had a big love for it and soon one class turned into two, two into three and now she is there doing 13 classes a week.
“Jessica says her heart scar makes her unique, it shows strength and a determination for life.”
“From ballet, tap and contemporary to musical theatre and street she loves them all. Jessica says her heart scar makes her unique, it shows strength and a determination for life.”
The family have been helped by the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) which supports the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit (LCHU) as a world-class centre of excellence – by providing the funding and resources needed to care for a patient’s heart, mind, family and future. The LCHU itself is supported by 19 local hospitals with outreach clinics across the region.
Jessica says that CHSF has helped her to “live a full and exciting life” thanks to funding the world-class care and life-saving work of the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.
Andy McNally, CHSF’s Head of Marketing said:
“We have loved hearing about Jessica’s active lifestyle, and her amazing weekly dance schedule.
“Stories like this are really inspiring for young heart patients and their families to hear, and testament to the skill and dedication of the team at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.”
Jessica herself said:
“CHSF have helped me live a full and exciting life. My surgery has meant I can now do 13 dance classes a week. I go for two yearly scans to make sure all is well.”
CHSF are wholly funded by public donations, and because of public donations the LCHU are able to give optimal treatment to the 17,000+ babies, children, teenagers and adults living with congenital heart disease in our region each year.
Around 1 in 125 babies are born with a congenital heart defect, and CHSF provide life-saving medical equipment for the LCHU, parent accommodation for families, and essential ward resources.
We also provide emotional, practical and financial support for heart families and fund staff training, scientific research and new clinical roles.
Can you make a life-saving donation to help fund our vital work for local heart warriors?
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