All parents go on an emotional journey with their first child, but Maia Wiggett’s arrival into the world was nothing short of a rollercoaster. Born six weeks prematurely, Maia was just a day old when her parents Meera and Shaun were told two large holes had been found in her heart and without surgery she would die.

What followed was months of worry and work, with Maia needing an interim surgical procedure to buy the time needed for her to gain the strength for major heart surgery. But little Maia also went on to be diagnosed another condition, tracheal stenosis, meaning her windpipe hadn’t formed properly. And this was just the start of her story.

But despite all the challenges facing her, and her family, Maia showed her fighting spirit right from the start. Now, a decade on, and Maia is a force of nature - a keen advocate for other children in need, she has her own YouTube channel and is also a young carer, helping to support her younger brother Kyan who has his own diagnosis, and complex needs.

On this episode Maia’s proud mum Meera speaks about what it’s like to be told your child may not live through the night and, 10 years later, watch them receive a richly deserved Young Heart Hero Award.

To find out more about the BHF Heart Hero Awards and how you can nominate a brave young person, visit: https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/heart-hero-awards

As a charity, the British Heart Foundation depends on the generosity of donors to continue carrying out our lifesaving research. Thank you to all those who already give. If you too would like to donate, you can do so at bhf.org.uk/donatepod

Meanwhile, if you've got any questions or concerns about your heart or circulatory health and want to talk with a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s free Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline where you’ll find all the contact options. And if you’d like to share your own heart story or have any thoughts on this episode, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at, thetickertapes@bhf.org.uk

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