Family of Torquay’s Ollie Paterson raise awareness for heart disease

Torquay 5-year-old Ollie, who has had two open heart surgeries, harbours aspirations to be a wildlife warrior and a ninja.

Ollie, 5, at the beach with mum Millie and brother Tom, 7, Picture: Mark Wilson

Ollie Paterson doesn’t let numerous heart problems get in the way of his big dreams.

The Torquay five-year-old, who has had more than 10 procedures including two open heart surgeries, harbours aspirations to be a wildlife warrior and a ninja.

When mum Millie Trethewie was 20 weeks pregnant with Ollie, she found out he had congenital heart disease.

“It was a massive shock – it’s the fear of the unknown,” Ms Trethewie said.

“We didn’t know what it meant.

“It just felt like I’d lost control of the pregnancy.”

Ollie Paterson. Picture: Mark Wilson

Since he was born Ollie has been in an out of hospital, with his first surgery at four weeks old and his most recent operation in January.

Ollie was diagnosed with a number of heart conditions including a complex malformation where the ventricles are on the opposite side of the heart to normal.

This was corrected in an 18-hour, complex surgery when he was just 18 months old.

He was in a critical condition for days afterwards.

A hole in his heart has also been rectified.

“He’s been amazing – he still rocks up to every appointment with a smile on his face,” Ms Trethewie said.

“He’s had his major repair work, hopefully anything ongoing will be minor repairs.

“We’ll never be told he’s cured.”

Ollie, who has a pacemaker, will never be able to play contact sport.

Ms Trethewie described Ollie as caring and intelligent.

“You wouldn’t know he’s fighting this battle,” she said.

Ms Trethewie praised the support of staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital and HeartKids, a charity that supports families impacted by congenital heart disease.

This month she is participating in the inaugural Heartbeats4HeartKids challenge.

Taking place throughout the month of May, the initiative invites people to raise their heartbeat through a running, walking, or riding challenge.

Ms Trethewie is aiming to walk or run 450km this month, and has surpassed the halfway mark.

“I’ve just noticed what a difference exercise makes to my mental health,” she said.

“That’s something that’s got me through all the hospital stays.

“The main reason I’m doing it is for mental health awareness for families going through the trauma with kids with heart conditions.”

She said it also set a good example for Ollie and his older brother Tom.

Ollie’s uncle and godfather are going to be running too, with the aim to raise awareness of congenital heart disease and support for those who have been impacted.

Money raised by the challenge will be donated to HeartKids.

For more information or to donate, visit heartbeats4heartkids.com.au

Originally published as Family of Torquay’s Ollie Paterson raise awareness for heart disease