Disneyland dream for Montrose family after daughter has seven heart surgeries
A Montrose family is hoping to take their daughters to Disneyland after their nine-year-old is discharged from the ICU after her seventh heart surgery.
Outer East
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The family of a brave little girl who is recovering from her seventh heart surgery are hoping to take her to Disneyland once she is released from hospital.
Bella Chalmers was born with congenital heart disease, pulmonary atresia and with two holes in her heart.
The nine-year-old from Montrose has undergone seven heart surgeries, with her latest surgery taking place in early August to put a permanent pacemaker in her heart.
Close family friend Caroline Shady said Bella had her first surgery when she was only 10 days old.
“Bella has spent so much time in the Royal Children’s hospital the nurses know her well,” Ms Shady said.
The nine-year-old has spent 18 days in the intensive care unit after the latest surgery.
“The hospital staff helped Bella to go outside for the first time in weeks on Saturday, and even took her to see the fish tank in the hospital,” Ms Shady said.
“Bella is such an upbeat and talkative kid.
“She is so full of energy you would not know she is sick, despite spending so much time in the hospital.”
Bella’s parents Jackie and Daniel have been taking turns swapping shifts at work to be by their daughter’s bedside.
“It has taken such a huge toll on the family,” Ms Shady said.
“They sleep on a daybed in her room night after night, and travel back and forth from Montrose.
“A family holiday is long overdue.”
Bella, who enjoys playing basketball and is involved in the Montrose Scouts with her father, is a big Disney fan.
Disneyland would be the dream holiday destination for Bella and her older sister.
“She would love to go meet and hug all the Disney princesses,” she said.
“Her favourite Disney movie is Moana and she would love to meet Bella, Anna and Elsa too.”
Ms Shady set up a GoFundMe to help the family with medical expenses and their Disneyland dream.
“The family has always worked to give back to the community and their passion for helping others is so inspiring,” she said.
“We would love to be able to help them take their family on holiday.”
The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.
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