Two year old Caboolture boy Anakin Stimson’s battle with deadly heart conditions

A baby boy born with three deadly heart conditions is defying the odds, and according to his mother is now a ‘happy, healthy and loving’ child - despite doctors saying he might not make it.

A baby boy born with three deadly heart conditions is defying the odds, and according to his mother is now a ‘happy, healthy and loving’ child - despite doctors saying he might not make it.

Nikkita Hammant was 20 weeks pregnant with her son Anakin when her ultrasound revealed his heart conditions.

In 2019, Anakin Stimson was born with a complex form of congenital heart disease (CHD) where his heart’s right side aortic arch and left subclavian artery had not developed properly.

He also had open heart surgery for a vascular ring division and reimplantation of the left subclavian artery.

In 2019, Anakin Stimson was born with a complex form of congenital heart disease (CHD) where his heart’s right side aortic arch and left subclavian artery had not developed properly. Photo: contributed.

“It was devastating when I found out,” Ms Hammant said.

“I felt like a failure as a mother and as a woman. I had created a life that society didn’t deem perfect.

“But to me he is perfect in every way.”

Now at two years old of age, Anakin Stimson is enjoying life the way most two year olds do.

“Doctors gave me the option to terminate at the time. They said his quality of life would be so low and that he wouldn’t be able to walk, run, talk or breathe properly,” Ms Hammant said.

“But I’m so glad to have him because he’s honestly doing amazing. He’s defied all of the odds it’s incredible.

“He’s doing everything that he should be doing at his age.”

In 2019, Anakin Stimson was born with a complex form of congenital heart disease (CHD) where his heart’s right side aortic arch and left subclavian artery had not developed properly. Photo: contributed.

His open heart surgery at just six months old is a memory that will always stick with her, Ms Hammant said.

“It was honestly one of the most terrifying things we’ve ever been through. He was under for eight hours all up.”

Ms Hammant said now Anakin will proudly point out his surgery scar to family and friends and tell them ‘my heart hurt so they fixed it’.

Despite being a mostly healthy and happy little boy, Anakin has had ongoing difficulties with his respiratory system since surgery and continues to undergo tests and procedures related to his CHD.

In 2019, Anakin Stimson was born with a complex form of congenital heart disease (CHD) where his heart’s right side aortic arch and left subclavian artery had not developed properly. Photo: contributed.

Ms Hammant said she has felt the financial and emotional strain of having a child that requires ongoing medical appointments, check-ups and surgery.

“HeartKids were at the hospital when Anakin had his surgery and gave me a shoulder to cry on. Their supporting advice helped us through what was one of the most challenging times of our lives,” she said.

In 2019, Anakin Stimson was born with a complex form of congenital heart disease (CHD) where his heart’s right side aortic arch and left subclavian artery had not developed properly. Photo: contributed.

“They also help families by hosting events and every time we have attended, we have connected with like-minded families.

Despite Anakin’s ongoing fight, he is an extremely loving and thoughtful young boy who is full of energy and brings happiness to everyone he meets.

According to his mother he particularly loves cuddles, cars, playing with his trucks, playing outside, and eating mangos.

In 2019, Anakin Stimson was born with a complex form of congenital heart disease (CHD) where his heart’s right side aortic arch and left subclavian artery had not developed properly. Photo: contributed.

During February 2022, Anakin’s family is encouraging Australians to help HeartKids by purchasing a special $5 heart beads bracelet in support for families affected by CHD. The bracelets symbolise the beads that many heart kids receive during hospital stays, with each distinctive bead standing for a specific challenge, procedure, or treatment that children with CHD have endured.