Buy a Defibrillator for Connor

I am helping a family that live near me, here is their story told by Kaydia........

 

On the 21st of March 2022, our world and lives changed forever, my partner Connor Walker at 27 years of age was diagnosed with severe Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD). This condition is a form of heart failure and is recognised as very rare for his age range. For anyone that is unaware of this condition it means the left side of Connor’s heart is weak, unable to contract effectively and ultimately does not have the force to pump blood around, to other organs in the body; which means this condition leads to increased risk of sudden death. If this were to occur in Connor’s case the need for CPR and a defibrillator would be vital in helping save his life.

 

Connor’s lifestyle has had to quickly and drastically change, any change in stress factors or increase to his heart rate is dangerous and worrying to the function of his heart. Connor is strongly limited and is unable to carry out daily activities that gave him huge happiness in life and is off sick from his job at BAE which he loves. The uncertainty that this condition carries is worrying beyond belief and has urged us as a family to raise awareness around CPR training and the use of a Defibrillator. “Survival rates from out of hospital cardiac arrest remain stubbornly low in the UK, with fewer than one in ten people surviving. If CPR were more widely taught, thousands of lives could be saved every year. Around 80% of cardiac arrests happen in the home” (Resuscitation Council UK 2014-2022). Our families have had to take part in CPR & defibrillator training, kindly given by Barrow Fire Station as part of a necessity for this life altering condition and to support Connor.

 

We have two young boys aged 3 & 1 whom we have put all our focus into, as this uncertainty is terrifying. As parents we have had to make huge changes for our boys. This has affected everyday life and as a family is incredibly hard when your partner is simply restricted on playing with our children, due to the scary uncertainty this condition carries. Connor and us as a family have a very long way to go with tests, procedures and long term management.

 

Never at 27 years old would we believe this could happen. We are doing this to not only raise awareness about this condition and the need for CPR & defibrillator training, amongst the community but to raise money to hopefully get a defibrillator within our home; as this could be completely life saving to our beloved fiancé, father, son, brother and grandson. Although we hope to never have to use this, this is something that would be vital in ensuring Connor’s safety is paramount, when at home with less supervision as opposed to being in hospital.

 

With the intention of what has previously been discussed, we would like to ask for donations to also be raised in Connor’s honour to; buy more defibrillators to donate to any other people in a similar situation, that may unfortunately need one but is unable to afford to buy one. Any other donations left aside from these necessities will go to British Heart Foundation. We thank each and every person that has taken the time to read this, donate, and keep Connor and his family in your thoughts. We please urge anyone that can to take part in CPR training to do so, together we could save many lives.