I was born in 1987 with Transposition of the Greater Arteries (TGA). I also had 3 holes of various sizes in my heart. Although my mum insisted that I had something wrong, she was repeatedly told I was fine and she was a panicky mother.

At 5 months old I went into heart failure and I was then diagnosed. I was to have open heart surgery. After my surgery (during which I died), I was kept in a medical coma to aid my recovery. I left the hospital at 10 months old, as good as new.

Throughout my years I had various issues associated with CHD but nothing we couldn’t handle. However in 2010 my heart meds mixed with the pill after only 6 weeks and gave me a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), or mini mini stroke to simplify! I had to have key hole surgery to fix the hole the TIA had left behind.

Although it was a long road with many ups and downs, in 2012 I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Kayla!! She is fab! I'm also a step mum to 3 amazing kids!! In 2016 we found I was having some problems, and it seems that my right ventricle is getting a bit "lazy". I makes simple things, like getting upstairs that bit more difficult, but I don't let it stop me. In 2018 I was blessed again, this time with a beautiful baby boy, Caoimhìn!!

I am a member of my local musical society and trust me that's no light task! I've climbed Slieve League! And this year I'm taking part in my 3rd mini marathon to help raise awareness and money for Croí!  

This is the link to my fundraising page if you’d like to contribute - https://www.idonate.ie/Ciarascause