Kezia's Story

My mother once told me that having a child with a heart condition was a little like buying a ticket to Italy but ending up in Holland instead. Not quite the trip that was intended but an interesting and challenging journey anyway. Hi my name is Kezia Lockhart and I'm going to tell you a little about that "interesting journey".

On the 17th October 1989 my parents were blessed with a beautiful baby girl… that was me! For three months they endured the normal initiation of all new parents: sleepless nights, poohy nappies and very little time to call their own. However things were also a little different to other new parents experiences, in that I never slept, I ate very little, and instead of getting bigger and fatter I got smaller and thinner. At three months old I was diagnosed as having a complex cardiac condition. The journey to Holland had begun!

I had two major operations before I was 5 and numerous visits to hospital. Other than that I can only remember a normal childhood. My parents would probably not see this time in quite the same way!! My heart condition is not able to be fully repaired so I am left with a limited amount of energy and aerobic capacity. I can't run and I do get tired very easily. However my parents have always encouraged and supported me to live as normal a life as possible. That means I still get told to get off the telephone, to go to bed at 9:30 and to turn that "horrible loud music" down!!!

Early on my mother became involved with the Heart Children Support group and quickly developed important connections with families in similar situations. I can still remember going to Valentines Day barbeques and enjoying swimming and yummy food! The first time I realised I wasn't quite the same as other children was when my best friend Jo started gymnastics. My mother took me along but I found it too difficult as I couldn't run like the other children. I also wasn't able to run at school and I usually just sat and watched the other kids. It was very frustrating as I really wanted to join in. The biggest challenge for me has been the fact that I can't play sport as it is something I have always wanted to do. However I do give everything a try when I can and I often give my parents anxious moments… the 800 metres run at school athletics nearly finished my mother off… hey, I only walked it!!!

The year 2000 was a big turning point for me as I got to go to Disneyland with Koru Care and I got to go on the first Heart Children's Camp. The Disney trip was amazing as everything was arranged so that we didn't have to walk anywhere or wait for anything!! I got to go on all the hair-raising rides without my mum wringing her hands and looking very worried!!

The first Heart Children Camp, Camp Brave Hearts was held in 2000 and it was the first time that a camp was set up solely for children with Heart conditions. I got to do confidence courses, abseiling, horse riding and lots of swimming. I also got to meet other children with heart conditions. This was really good as I began to realise I wasn't the only person who was not able to do things that other people could. I have been on three camps since then and some of my best friends are Ashley, Amy, Nicholas, Josh and Jonno. They all have heart conditions.

The first teenager's camp was held two years ago at Long Bay. There I was able to prove to the boys that not only could girls surf but they can often surf better than the boys. Another challenge I mastered was climbing the giant Norfolk pine – when I finally gained enough confidence to go up and I was nearly at the top "lunch is ready" was called and I never quite made it. I also managed to climb all three climbing walls blindfolded!!!

The camps are really good because almost all activities were achievable by all the kids. None of us had to sit and watch other kids do things that we couldn't do.

So, yes my journey is different to other kids but I have been able to do many exciting things and meet interesting and sometimes famous people. I have had a lot of support from friends and family who have always wanted the best for me. The journey into the future is full of uncertainties and opportunities so whether it be Italy or Holland I just want to make the most of anything that comes my way. eating.