A mum who was told by doctors to abort her baby due to a life-limiting heart condition has spoken of how she is now a thriving schoolgirl who inspires her every day.
Ava Alexander, eight, from Stirling, was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome when she was still in the womb.
Her illness means the left side of her heart was under-developed.
The youngster underwent her first surgery at just three days old after being transferred to specialists in Birmingham.
Ava’s parents, Laura, 40, and David, 42, said doctors initially believed she had a leak on the right side of her heart which they expected to kill her before birth and classed her as one of the worst cases of the condition they’d ever seen.
Laura was offered termination three times as the tot was given little to no chances of survival.
View 5 ImagesWithout the necessary treatment the life expectancy for a child with the condition is a few days to a few weeks(Image: Supplied)
Laura told the Record: “I was fully prepared to lose my little girl or to give birth to a baby I’d barely spend minutes with.
“We only bought the essentials. We didn’t even buy a pram or a cot. We were preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.
“But I chose not to terminate. I wanted to keep going and thought ‘what’s for me, won’t go by me’.
View 5 ImagesAva has been described as an “inspiration” by her parents Laura and David(Image: Supplied)
“There was no leak in Ava’a heart when she was born – the very thing they recommended my pregnancy over.
“She is now a happy, thriving little girl who is living for the moment. She is a miracle. She broke the mould.”
Laura experienced a standard pregnancy until Ava was diagnosed with the condition in the womb at 24 weeks.
Ava’s parents, who also share son Sean, 15, expected their daughter to be born weighing around 3lb and to have both learning difficulties and neurological problems.
But when Ava was born by C-section in July 2017 weighing 8lb 13, her mum and dad knew she had a fighting chance.
She has had to undergo a number of operations, experiences physical symptoms like breathlessness and fatigue, and will require a heart transplant in the future – but has still hit all her developmental milestones.
View 5 ImagesAva with her brother, Sean, now 15, and parents Laura and David(Image: Supplied)
Laura said: “Ava was a feisty, big girl from the moment she was born. She defied all of the doctors’ expectations.
“Even the specialists in Birmingham were shocked at how big she was.
“Her surgeries have been tough, but they have given her a second chance at life.
“She’s courageous and brave and she doesn’t let her anything hold her back.”
View 5 ImagesAva is a happy eight-year-old who enjoys school, spending time with friends and family, and playing(Image: Supplied)
Ava’s family launched The Ava Alexander Foundation in her name in 2024. Since then, the charity has raised £15,000 to provide support, respite and special experiences to sick children and their families such as iPads, games consoles and holidays.
The Foundation’s next step is to raise to funds to buy a caravan to gift or rent out to families with youngsters who are battling health issues.
Ava is at the heart of the Foundation and regularly meets with other children who are “moved” by her spirit.
Laura added: “The Foundation will be her legacy.
“She also has a football team named after her, Ava AFC, who take part in charity matches.
“Everybody sees Ava’s spirit. She brings joy to everyone and lights up the room. She deserves the world.”
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