I was born in September 1981 and at the age of 3 developed whooping cough without a perceivable “whoop”. Off the back of this fairly innocuous finding by a very switched on Dr, and after further investigation, I was found to have several problems with my heart, including a hole over the 4 chambers of the heart and Mitral Valve Prolapse (leaky valve). I underwent open heart surgery at the age of 4 to correct the hole and again at 5 to repair the leaky valve, the operation at 5 left me very poorly after contracting an infection and there was every possibility I wouldn’t make it, but make it I did!!

These operations were carried out by the excellent team at Birmingham Children's Hospital who’s care I was transferred from to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at the age of 18.  Fast-forward to the age of 27 and it was recommended that I consider a mechanical mitral valve replacement to ensure that should I want a baby in the future, I would be safe (sadly due to other heart related complications this has never come to pass).  

This August though will mark 10 years since my latest and (hopefully) final open heart surgery. We happily refer to it as my “Valveversary”. To celebrate and give something back, i’m setting myself a 10,000 step challenge for the month of August, to walk at least 10,000 steps a day where I will be raising money for a charity very close to my, erm, heart 

The Sommerville Foundation is my chosen charity.You can read more about how they help Grown Up Congenital Heart (GUCH) patients like me at https://thesf.org.uk/about-the-somerville-foundation/.  I’d love it if you’d help me celebrate this landmark by donating to this very worthy charity.

Thanks

Katie ‘Croc’ Wintle 🐊❤️

PS - Trivia: If you ever wondered why I have “Croc” in my nickname, this refers to Disney (I know shocking right?). In Peter Pan the crocodile swallowed a watch and everywhere he went he ticked. This is exactly how I sound after running up some stairs since my valve was fitted and its probably how i’ll sound after walking 10,000 steps a day!