Ariya Wilson with her mum, Emma Polychrone.
Photo by
Bree Lambert
Every day across Australia, eight babies enter the world facing the challenge of childhood-onset heart disease.
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This is reality for three-year-old Ariya Wilson, who was born with left atrial isomerism and hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
These conditions mean that the left side of her heart is underdeveloped, making it difficult for her heart to pump enough blood around her body.
The journey began before Ariya even took her first breath.
After initial concerns at 11 weeks gestation, a 21-week scan confirmed Ariya’s heart condition, requiring her mother, Emma Polychrone, to move from Alice Springs to Melbourne and Ariya’s four siblings to move in with family in Echuca.
Born at 36 weeks, Ariya was immediately rushed to The Royal Children’s Hospital.
“I think I got about two seconds with her before they had to take her,” Miss Polychrone said.
At just six days old, Ariya underwent her first major heart operation, followed by a month of recovery in the intensive care unit.
Her battle wasn’t over yet, as she required emergency surgery for her stomach and a valve repair procedure at just three months old.
Not long after, she underwent a second major heart surgery.
“(While in hospital) we didn’t actually get to go out for a walk or anything,” Miss Polychrone said.
It wasn’t until Ariya was 10 months old that she finally received the green light to go home.
Miss Polychrone said since settling in Echuca, Ariya had thrived.
“It’s a whole new world, but it’s amazing,” Miss Polychrone said.
This year, the brave toddler is preparing to start kindergarten.
“It’s just amazing how the community works with Ariya,” Miss Polychrone said.
When she isn’t preparing for kinder, she can be found dancing and singing to Disney music or playing outside at the local park.
Ariya enjoys playing outside.
Photo by
Bree Lambert
Ariya’s condition requires monitoring every six months and a further surgery is anticipated for her in the next year or two.
Throughout Ariya’s journey, HeartKids, the only Australian charity dedicated to supporting those impacted by child-onset heart disease, has been like a “second family”.
From hosting morning teas and Christmas parties, the charity has provided support for Ariya and her family, as has Ronald McDonald House, where they resided while in Melbourne for Ariya’s health care.
“I have no other words,” Miss Polychrone said.
“They saved us because we had nowhere to go, (we) just came from Alice Springs.”
Ariya’s journey has inspired those closest to her, including her older sister, Tahliah Stagg, who will begin studying a degree in speech pathology this year.
As a staff member at Ariya’s speech pathology clinic, Tahliah sees her sister’s progress firsthand.
While Ariya is a joyful and energetic toddler, she still has challenges to overcome.
This February, you can help Ariya and other families receive advocacy, support and a sense of community when it is needed most by supporting the Sweethearts for HeartKids campaign.
The campaign runs throughout Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week from February 7 to 14 and leads up to Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day on February 14.
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