My darling 21year old son Darragh collapsed and died suddenly in his student accomodation on Oct 1 2003. No words can describe the devastating effect this had on our family especially as the pathologist's report stated that no cause could be found. How could a fit "healthy" sports-loving 21year old just drop dead? When I became aware that most conditions which cause Sudden Cardiac Death in young people can be hereditary I was concerned for my three younger daughters. Not only had I lost one child but I was more at risk than most of losing another!As there was no family screening clinic in Ireland we travelled to London and were finally put in contact with an electrophysiologist in this country. He diagnosed LQTS in my youngest daughter (then aged 17) and through genetic testing their father was also found to have it.Eleanor was fitted with an ICD. Six months later it shocked her when her mobile phone startled her in sleep. She is now on beta blockers and although she misses her sports she lives a very normal life. I am so glad we pursued family screening as we know that Ellie is now safe and has a normal life expectancy. Four years ago I became involved in setting up two support groups with other affected families: SCDyoung www.scdyoung.ie and LQTS Support Group in asssociation with the Irish Heart Foundation. Our main aims are to support affected families & to effect change so that others may live; to increase awareness;encourage placement of automated external defibrillators in schools, sports venues and public places and to encourage screening of our youth for heart conditions. There are now two dedicated family screening centres in Ireland (both funded by charitable donations)which are doing great work. We will be lobbying for government support. Post edited by: darsmam, at: 07/08/2009 04:49 AM Post edited by: darsmam, at: 07/08/2009 05:30 AM |
