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Margy Al-Chalabi: My son
Badir was only nine when he collapsed and died from hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy (HCM) during a cross-country run in March 1991.
Losing a child is devastating and a deeply painful grief. It has
taken me a while but I feel able now to offer my time and to be
there for anyone who is experiencing a painful loss. |
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Amanda Barker: My husband
Nigel died in his sleep on 18 August 1998. Aged only 33, he was
a fit and healthy man and our children James and Jane and myself
were devastated by his sudden death. We have since moved to
Yorkshire to be near my parents and to rebuild our lives. |
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Maralyn Bowen: We lost our 19
year-old son Ian in October 1996. After playing a round of golf
in the morning, Ian had gone to his part-time job in the
afternoon before going to have a night out with his mates. He
collapsed and died one hour after leaving home. Ian’s death was
due to a condition known as Wolff Parkinson White (WPW). |
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Diana Bower: My son-in-law Andrew
was a healthy, successful and proud father-to-be. When he died
suddenly aged 30, my daughter’s dreams were shattered. Having
supported her through the ups and downs, I would now like to
help others. Although times can still be difficult, watching my
daughter and grandson laugh together brings me a happiness I
couldn’t envisage after Andrew’s death. |
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Julie Donnelly: It is hard to describe the devastation of
losing our son Adam. He collapsed and died aged 17 of sudden
death syndrome while playing in the swimming pool when we were
on holiday in 2004. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t
think of him and wish things were different. CRY helped us
realise that we are not alone in this tragedy and that this most
unimaginable loss happens to many other young people. |
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Karen Finney: Our lives changed forever when my beautiful
daughter Jenny died suddenly, aged 18. Many families have
unanswered questions, as we did. Knowing there is support
available makes a big difference in helping to cope with the
long and difficult struggle of rebuilding shattered lives. Being
able to talk to someone who has experienced a similar tragedy is
sometimes all we need. |
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Caroline Gard: When our son Andrew
died just two days short of his 18th birthday in July 1997, our
lives became changed forever. He had just finished his A levels
and was a fit, active sportsman who was extremely well-liked by
everyone. Because he had no warning of any problems his sudden
death came as a complete shock to us. |
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Julie Hatton: I lost my son Leon when he was only four and a
half years old. Unbeknown to us, Leon was born with a congenital
heart defect called bicuspid aortic valve. This valve was too
narrow for the blood to flow through and it eventually fused
together. Leon died peacefully in his sleep. |
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Joan Hillier: Laura was
working during her vacation in her father's GP surgery. She
suddenly collapsed and died on 20 June 2003, aged 21, from
undiagnosed arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).
She was lively, witty, a fun person, a joy to know and is deeply
missed by all who knew her. |
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Barbara Holland: In 1988 my brother-in-law Hugh died
suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition. When our son Phil
had palpitations we had him checked at the local hospital but
were told there was nothing to worry about. We were devastated,
therefore, when he suddenly collapsed and died in December 2002.
He was 23. We now know that both Hugh and Phil probably had a
form of cardiomyopathy. |
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Ruth Lowe: I had never heard of SADS
until 12 April 2004 when my only child Andrew died suddenly at
21, shortly before he was going to be married. Andrew rarely
went to the doctor but had been experiencing symptoms no-one
thought could be serious. We were left bewildered after his
sudden death. I feel privileged to be a Bereavement Supporter
and hope through my own experience I will be able to help
others. |
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Stephanie Paterson: Investigations into James’s 'heart
murmur', twice dismissed as irrelevant in childhood, did not
prevent acceptance for the RAF. He died suddenly at 24 playing
football. We yearned to understand the mystery of his death from
long QT. A ray of light was CRY. Since then the world has become
a different place and we are different people. I now hope to
help others with the changes that such a tragedy brings. |
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Anne Reynolds: Pete, an outgoing, lively young man, lived
life to the full. Excelling at most sports, he never experienced
sickness in his life. Dizzy spells several weeks prior to his
death were dismissed. At 27, Pete was found dead in bed. We
shall never get over losing him but are learning to live with
it. With the help of family, friends and CRY we are rebuilding
our lives. I hope to help others find a way through their
tragedy too. |
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Dee Shackleton: I was born in Bradford where I grew up with
my two brothers Peter and John. I became involved with CRY after
my older brother, Peter, died on 15th November 1998 at the age
of 25. As you can imagine this was devastating for my family and
I. CRY became the support network I needed. |
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Carly Sykes: Paul died aged 28 playing football in April
2005. Extremely fit and healthy, he showed no signs of any
problem. His death left me and our baby son devastated. CRY's
help and persistence enabled me to obtain a diagnosis other than
‘natural causes' and ensured Thomas has ongoing screening, as
Paul died of the genetic condition ARVC. CRY has proved to be
the support network I needed on so many levels. |
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Vanessa Tardif: My fit and vibrant brother Simon (35) died
suddenly in July 2004 of undiagnosed ARVC, leaving a traumatised
wife and four young children. We are still devastated and
shocked at his sudden death and miss him every day. I have ARVC
and was fitted with an ICD soon after my brother died. I trained
as a Bereavement Supporter to try and help others through their
grief. |
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Diane Tolley: My 15-year old
son Robert was on a bike ride with his two best friends. During
the ride, Robert got off his bike complaining of feeling dizzy.
He collapsed and died, despite the best efforts of passers-by
and paramedics. Robert died from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
There were no warnings, signs or symptoms of this condition. |
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