Newsletter Issue 8 Winter 2012 News and information for previously fit and healthy young people living with cardiac conditions
Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays In 2009, at the age of 17, James Bailey was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White (WPW). This was found during a CRY screening held at his school and was a total shock to James who considered himself to be very fit and sporty. He was due to go on a football tour only a month later but was advised it would be unwise to go, which was a huge disappointment. He was advised to stop sports and was put on medication. James subsequently underwent two ablations that same year. Fortunately the second one was successful. Despite the seriousness of the situation, James considered himself to be very fortunate that his WPW had been discovered and treated and was very keen to do all he could to raise both funds and awareness of such conditions. He therefore arranged charity auctions to raise money and support the work of CRY. He also took every opportunity to raise awareness of such conditions and to campaign for ECGs to be available to those particularly at risk. James says: “It was a great honour to carry the Olympic Torch and play a part in the London Olympics. Despite being extremely nervous beforehand about my ‘moment to shine’ and worrying about dropping the Torch, everything went really well and it was incredible seeing how many people turned up to cheer me and the Torch on. It really was a once in a lifetime experience and a moment I will never forget. Thanks to the local media coverage of the event I hope my participation in the Torch Relay was able to help further publicise the invaluable work of CRY. Additionally, thanks to people donating money to have a photo with my Torch, I was able to raise some more cash to help such a good cause.”
P2 CRY Heart of London Bridges Walk 2012 P3 Your story P4 About myheart
Tony Eames (32), a member of CRY’s myheart group, played an exciting role in the lead up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games by carrying the Torch on Monday 29th August as part of its 92 mile journey across Britain. Tony, from Wokingham, also received widespread media coverage as he stood on the steps of the Shree Swaminarayan Hindu temple in Willesden, Brent. He was interviewed on both ITN and BBC news. Tony says: “Taking part in the Paralympic Games Torch relay was a great achievement and one that signifies the progress I've made since being diagnosed with long QT syndrome (a potential cause of sudden death syndrome) aged 12, which caused sudden cardiac blackouts. For eight years my family doctor had treated my fainting attacks as epilepsy and attention-seeking panic attacks. It was suggested that I be sent to a psychiatric institution, something my parents refused to allow. No-one had tested my heart and all the time I was at risk of a sudden fatal attack from the rare heart condition. “Following various investigations I was diagnosed and had the condition controlled by daily beta blockers and had a pacemaker fitted aged 18. It was difficult to overcome the challenges, however I am delighted that thanks to the medical support, today, I live a full and energetic life, focusing on achieving personal goals.” Winter 2012
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