By Kym Kitchin | Head of Fundraising
Mike's story is one of incredible resilience and strength. Born with a large atrial septal defect (hole in the heart) in 1965, he underwent open heart surgery at the age of eight.
After the surgery, he struggled with severe palpitations for years, which were later diagnosed as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) caused by Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW).
Mike had a successful catheter ablation in 2004, and enjoyed a period of stability until new palpitations emerged in 2013. These episodes, coupled with anxiety, led to a challenging cycle of physical and mental health struggles. In 2017, an occupational therapist diagnosed him with a mental illness, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helped him address his health anxiety and rebuild his confidence.
Mike’s journey shows what is possible with perseverance and support, and the powerful connection between mental and physical health.
He says, “The support provided by charities like Tiny Tickers is invaluable for helping to reduce the trauma and uncertainty faced by the children and their families as they navigate their lives with congenital heart disease (CHD).”
Tiny Tickers supports heart families in a number of ways, such as online peer support groups, informative webinars and family support packs.
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