Suzie has been working for the charity for 28 years. She used to be a Congenital Cardiac Specialist Nurse so will listen to all callers’ concerns and work to help them understand what their medical team have told them, especially following a new diagnosis or treatment plan. Although she is unable to give individual medical advice she will help a caller to draw up a list of questions for their own medical team. She also works to help families to access support for a child in school or apply for benefits and she works to give a general overview of life with a congenital heart condition and the support a child or family may need at any stage of their journey.

“I have been married to Adrian for 15 years, we have 4 children and live and work on our family farm in South Shropshire. I had an antenatal diagnosis of HLHS with my 3rd child, Samuel, who was born in 2006 at the Birmingham Women’s Hospital. Samuel has undergone all three stages of surgery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and has since had a pacemaker. I have done some fundraising for LHM over the last few years and 3 years ago I became a parent support volunteer. I clearly remember how desperate and confused we were by the initial diagnosis and what a lifeline LHM was to me. LHM has continued to support us over the years and I am glad to be able to support other newly diagnosed mums and dads who find themselves in a similar position to the one we were in 10 years ago.”