PRECIOUS SOUND
Laying in bed, I placed my hand on my chest. Thump, thump, thump – I could feel my heart beating. It was 2001, and at 16, my life was filled with friends, family, school work, chores, music and plenty of laughter.
They were all things I was very grateful for, but sometimes, I’d need some peace and quiet.
I’d creep into my room, lay on my bed, block everything out and just listen to the sound of my heart in my chest.
To me, it was the most beautiful sound in the world.
The sound of my heart beating reminded me that I was still here.
Born in December 1985 at London’s Guy’s Hospital, I’d quickly been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
My mum Annette, now 66, and my dad Keith, now 70, had been told that my heart had three working valves instead of four, and that only one chamber was functioning. It
