Wish stories

Millie has had a lot to contend from a young age, as she was diagnosed with congenital heart defects at just three days old.

“She wasn’t feeding and my husband asked for a second opinion,” explained mum Cate. “They took her away for tests and saw that she had an issue with her heart, so she was referred to Southampton General Hospital, where they discovered she had a hole in her heart, her aorta arch was too thin and the valves in her heart were only on the left side, not the right.”

At only four days old, Millie underwent her first ever operation. When she was six, she had to have a pacemaker fitted and subsequently replaced as the wires were fraying.

“When she was eight or nine, she had chickenpox but she was also vomiting and seemed tired all the time, which we didn't think was related. After six weeks, she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and it’s been a struggle from then onwards. She’s been in and out of hospital, having operations and becoming weaker after each one.”

Living alongside Millie’s condition has also affected her sister, who is currently in counselling as the focus her parents have on Millie has made her feel abandoned at times. She also experiences a lot of worry over Millie’s health and checks on her in the middle of the night, as she knows that there is a possibility she might not wake up one day.

“I’ve had to make tough decisions, like whether to attend a birthday party for her sister or go to the hospital with Millie. It’s been really hard but you muddle through.” shared mum.

Now 17, Millie is feeling the impact that living with her condition has had on her own life, as she hasn’t had the usual opportunities her peers have had to form friendships and feels socially behind. The good news, however, is that she is doing well on her current medication and is coping well with life generally.

After being referred to Make-A-Wish by referral partner the Rainbow Trust, Millie immediately knew that she wanted to go on a caravan holiday, as she has positive memories of caravan holidays and loves being near the seaside. After taking a look at some options, she chose to stay at Parkdean Resorts: Ty Mawr Holiday Park!

The family enjoyed a jam-packed holiday of fun, from painting pottery to golf to archery, as well as getting to eat what Millie dubbed “the best chips ever!”. The holiday was also made extra special by the fact that Millie joined her family for a swim for the first time in ten years, something her mum wasn’t expecting her to want to do.

“It was nice to do lots of things as a whole family, as usually my husband and I have to divide and conquer by deciding who goes to hospital with Millie and who stays home with her siblings. It sounds depressing but every time we do something together, we always take a group picture as we never know when it’s going to be our last.” shared Cate.

As well as making important memories together as a family, the wish was opportunity for Millie to gain some autonomy back after being in and out of hospital since birth.