Posts

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Travel information

This leaflet gives information on travelling for adults who were born with a heart condition (congenital heart condition). Having a congenital heart condition doesn’t mean you can’t travel but it may require a bit of advance planning. It…
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Lifestyle issues

This leaflet is designed to provide you with advice on some lifestyle choices and issues that may be related to your heart condition. The aim of the leaflet is to provide you with information so you can make the decisions for yourself. Download…
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Coping With Medical Procedures

Written by Dr Sara O'Curry, Chartered Clinical Psychologist Who wouldn't get anxious before a medical procedure? Biologically speaking, a procedure is a threat (someone moving towards you with a sharp object) and we are designed to respond…
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Emotional and Mental Health Resources

Emotional and Mental Health Resources Here are a selection of articles and resources that address some of the emotional and mental health challenges that can arise for people designed to help with living with congenital heart disease. For additional…
Baby holding mothers hands in a heart shape
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Born with a Heart condition

What is a congenital heart condition? Congenital means 'from birth'. A congenital heart condition is an abnormality of the heart that has been present from birth. A congenital heart condition is sometimes also called 'congenital heart disease'…
First Heart Transplant

50th Anniversary of the first Heart Transplant

Image Courtesy of health24 Fifty years ago, the first human heart transplant was performed in South Africa. Louis Washkansky, 53, was terminally ill with heart failure. The donor, Denise Darvall, was just 25. She suffered a fatal brain injury…
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Joanne's Great Trek

I was only in the car for a few minutes when I heard the advert on the radio for a trek on the Great Wall of China with Charity Challenge. I was instantly curious... was I brave enough?  I figured there was only one way to find out and only…
Marathon runners
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Michelle's Great North Run

Michelle has been working hard to raise funds for The Somerville Foundation all the way through 2017. Altogether, Michelle raised over £1,300, which will allow us to continue to provide invaluable support to congenital heart patients, their…
Roseberry Topping Image by Steven Iceton
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Pauline's Roseberry Topping Challenge

Image Courtesy of Steven Iceton Living with a heart condition has always been a challenge and this has had its ups and downs. Since discovering The Somerville Foundation a number of years ago, I have received a lot of help and advice from…
Walking boots
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Walking in Gramps Footsteps

After being diagnosed with what appeared to be an innocent heart murmur as a child, Helen Witt did not think she would find herself facing open-heart surgery in her 40s. “I was born with a heart murmur, but it was never treated as the doctors…