Natalie's graduation
Graduation. It is a life experience that has a different meaning to different people. For some, it signifies a new chapter is about to begin. For others, it means leaving things behind. For SickKids kid Natalie, it is a little bit of a both. This June, Natalie will not only graduate from high school, but she will be graduating from SickKids too. It is the latter that makes her a little bit nervous.“SickKids is all that I have ever known,” said Natalie. “I never thought this day would come. I don’t really want to leave.”
Natalie became a SickKids kid when she was only three months old. Rushed to SickKids with congestive heart failure, Natalie was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Her treatment: three heart surgeries by the time she reached the age of three. And the possibility that, although her heart would last her well into her youth, she would most likely require a heart transplant as she got older.
Natalie became a SickKids kid when she was only three months old.
During this time, Natalie became an advocate for organ donations. She attended a number of organ donation awareness events, and it was during an interview at a radio station that Natalie discovered what she wanted to pursue when she graduated from high school.
“I went to a radio station to talk about organ donations, and while I was there, I just felt like I was meant to be there,” Natalie said. “I ended up doing my co-op at a local radio station and even emceed an event for them. It was so much fun that I thought, why not try to make a career out of it.”
This fall, Natalie will begin a two-year program at her local college in Radio Broadcasting.
This year has been full of moments that, a couple of years ago, Natalie didn’t expect to be experiencing.
“Getting the chance to experience my grade 12 year outside of the hospital; being able to attend my prom; these were huge achievements for me. When I was going through the heart transplant assessment two years ago, I had visions of spending my grade 12 year in hospital.”
While Natalie is looking forward to graduating high school and beginning her next chapter at her local college, she is a little more apprehensive about her graduation from SickKids. Eighteen years of surgeries, clinic visits and check-ups has resulted in a lot of bonds developed with SickKids staff and with the hospital environment itself. She even became famous amongst the halls of SickKids at an early age after her story was profiled on the television series, ‘Little Miracles,’ which was broadcast on the Life Network and CBC.
“After Little Miracles, everyone used to recognize Natalie,” said her mom, Carol. “She was stopped all the time. She never showed any fear and wasn’t shy at all. Instead, she walked into SickKids like she owned the hospital.”
Natalie has gotten to know a lot of people during her time at SickKids. And it is a place where Natalie has always felt safe. Leaving all that and moving on to Toronto General Hospital (TGH) makes her a little nervous. And a little bit sad. Luckily, her cardiologist at SickKids is also going to be her cardiologist at TGH, so she is hoping that will help to make the transition easier. She is also hoping to convince her favourite staff member, Peaches, to come with her.
“Peaches has been doing my bloodwork since I was baby. She is the only one who seems to be able to find my vein. The last time I saw her, I asked her if she could come to TGH to take my bloodwork there. I’m still working on trying to convince her.”
As Natalie prepares to move on from SickKids, she does want to share some parting words of advice to those who are just beginning their journey at SickKids.
“Do not be afraid of SickKids. It is meant to be there to help you. It is a great place to meet people who understand what you are going through. Just take it one day at a time and it will become easier.”
