A teenager who underwent heart surgery when she was just three is helping set up a nationwide support group for youngsters in a similar position.
Former Manningtree High and Tendring Technology College student Lisa King has already been trained to be part of the initiative set up by Cry - Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Lisa, who is now 16 and leads a normal life, said she was only too aware of the difficulties children face when they have such conditions.
"It is not always easy to talk to doctors or adults and it is good to be able to speak with someone nearer your own age who has gone through the same experience they are going through," she said.
"I am lucky and I can do just about anything I want. I have just had my third pacemaker fitted and go riding regularly."
But Lisa, who lives in Bradfield and works for her father's company in Coggeshall, admits there were times when she was not so sure she would get to that stage and it can be quite frightening.
"The idea is that we can be at the end of a telephone to give help, advice, encoruagement or just have a chat to others when they need it."
Published Friday October 11, 2002
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