When she was just seven months old, eight-year-old Amy Lee had surgery to treat a serious heart condition.
She became ill on Christmas Day and was diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
All babies are born with such a hole in their heart; it exists in order for the blood to circulate to the lungs while they are in the womb, however it should automatically close a few a days post-birth.
If left untreated, it can cause permanent damage to both the heart and lungs.
Amy wants to be a model and fulfilled her dream not long ago, as she took the runway at fashion week events in both London and New York.
Her mother Jennie, who works as a sales representative and lives in East Grinstead in West Sussex, spoke to the Evening Standard about Amy’s success.
‘Amy is in her element when modelling and has a beaming smile on her face,’ she said.
‘She just lights up when she’s on the catwalk. I’m so proud of her, especially given what she’s been through.
‘It was the worst time of my life when Amy was ill. But the doctors and nurses provided brilliant care and support.’
The model was signed to an agency when she was just five years old, and has starred in adverts for supermarkets including Lidl and Sainsbury’s, as well as for designer brands like ME clothing.
‘Amy was pretty sick when she arrived and her heart was becoming enlarged,’ said Mr Bell, her surgeon at Evelina London Children’s Hospital in Lambeth.
The consultant paediatric cardiologist performed the keyhole surgery on Amy by inserting a plug into her heart through a tube in her leg.
He also said it was ‘wonderful’ to see the progress she’s made.
During London Fashion Week, Amy took part in a children’s fashion show.
She is due to return for the next round of fashion week this coming September.
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