Jumping for joy

As a child Jason Romeo embraced the Jump Rope for Heart program when it was first launched, but could not have known the role the national initiative would play in saving his daughter’s life years later.

The Heart Foundation uses the program to raise awareness of cardiovascular health and fitness as well as raising funds to save lives of people in Australia.

Mr Romeo, who is principal at Brunswick Primary School, spoke with the Times this week abouthowhis daughter, Grace, who was born with a number of heart problems, is now just like any other pre-school student full of energy and excitement.

‘‘We were living in Port Hedland when Grace was born, she was just three days old when an irregular heartbeat was noticed,’’ Mr Romeo said.

‘‘By a stroke of luck a cardiologist was in town and they were able to do some scans on her.’’

Doctors wasted no time and the Royal Flying Doctor Service transported Grace to Perth where it was confirmed she had coarctation of the aorta, a narrowing of the aorta, which affects blood flow.

At just 13 weeks of age, Grace underwent surgery to correct the problem and it was also confirmed she had a hole in the heart and damage to the tricuspid valve.

‘‘It was a tense time for us, our first bub and she had to undergo a five-hour operation,’’ he said.

In the years following surgery, the youngster has thrived.

‘‘We went from visiting doctors and specialists every few weeks to now seeing a specialist every two years,’’ Grace’s mum, Lyn Romeo, said.

According to Mr Romeo, she’s like any other child—full of energy.