Miracle survivor ‘I’VE ONLY GOT HALF A HEART!’
But this brave battler is living life to the full
Taylor Colvin has lived every day of her life knowing it could be her last. Diagnosed with the rare condition hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) at her mother’s three-month prenatal ultrasound, she wasn’t expected to survive birth.
But the 21-year-old refuses to let her condition – which has left her navigating life with half a heart – define her and is currently planning a tandem skydive, as well as a backpacking trip through Latin America.
“From a young age, I decided
I wasn’t going to be a victim of my condition – I was going to embrace it,” Taylor tells Woman’s Day. “I’ve never been able to join a sports team or go for a run, but I have a real passion for adventure sports and travelling. I love canyoning, rock climbing and hiking whenever it’s possible. If I can climb it, I’m going up.”
The Canberra student was just three days old when she underwent open-heart surgery, before another two operations to rewire her body at three months and three years of age.
As one of the oldest Australians living with HLHS, Taylor knows it’s highly likely she’ll need a heart and liver transplant at some stage in her life, but she’s not scared.
Instead, she fills her days preparing for her future, studying a double degree at university, working as a paralegal and raising awareness of children’s heart conditions.
“Doctors are cautious because no one knows what my medical future looks like, but they’re constantly surprised by what I can do,” enthuses Taylor. “My parents never bubble-wrapped me and have always supported my adventurous streak. The reality of death has helped me live life to the full every day.”
While she recalls being devastated when a doctor told her she would never have children of her own, Taylor’s cardiologist has since helped her see this dream may become a reality one day. She also feels empowered knowing her positive journey with half a heart may inspire others.
“Sometimes it’s hard not knowing what my future will look like, but it’s also incredibly empowering because I get to be someone who young people can see has defied doctors’ expectations and achieved my dreams,” Taylor smiles. “I love being able to give others hope.”