Skipping to help others

FOUR weeks after open-heart surgery, Matilda Grimshaw signed up for the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart program.
The St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School pupil, who is nine years old, started skipping one month after surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital to treat a congenital heart condition.

In February this year, Matilda was diagnosed with complete heart block (CHB). Normally, the upper and lower chambers of the heart communicate via electrical signals to ensure they beat at the same rate. In CHB, these signals are blocked, and the faster rate of the upper chambers is not passed on to the lower chambers.
A “backup” system takes over, allowing the heart to continue pumping blood around the body, but at a much slower rate than usual. Before her surgery, Matilda’s heart rate was only about 35 to 40 beats per minute (a normal rate is 60 to 100 beats). Matilda tired easily and had regular dizzy spells.
Surgeons inserted a pacemaker to take over the electrical signaling system in Matilda’s heart and restore a normal rhythm.
“As soon as I saw Matilda after her surgery, her face looked brighter and she had pink cheeks for the first time in her life,” Matilda’s mum, Jess said.
A few weeks later, Matilda returned to her school in Armstrong Creek and was excited to learn the school was participating in Jump Rope for Heart during term two.
With Jess’s help and her doctors’ permission, Matilda registered for the program on May 29 – only a month out from her surgery. “I am participating in Jump Rope for Heart because I want other kids with heart conditions to be able to have the same great treatment in hospital to get better like I have,” Matilda wrote on her profile.
Matilda can skip for about 10 minutes at a time and has raised almost $600 – well clear of her $200 target. Matilda’s younger brother Rumi is also participating in the program.
“Since having her pacemaker installed, we have noticed many positive changes for Matilda,” Jess said. “She has lots of energy and is enthusiastic about sports. She can enjoy running, scooting, skipping and riding her bike without getting tired. She can concentrate and read much faster and is now devouring several novels a week.”
“We are amazed and grateful that Matilda is doing Jump Rope so soon after her heart surgery. She is very inspirational,” Heart Foundation chief Kellie-Ann Jolly said.
“For a new school who are participating in the Jump Rope for Heart program for the first time and to raise more than $7,000 is amazing, and for Matilda to raise more than $600 is phenomenal.
“We thank Matilda, the school and the community for their support.”
Schools have raised awareness and more than $104 million to help the Heart Foundation fight heart disease – Australia’s single leading cause of death.
A total of 198 Australian schools participated in the Jump Rope for Heart program in term two.