Congenital heart condition has not held back dancer Sinead

A YOUNG woman who was born with a congenital heart condition has described how she hasn’t let it hold her back – and highlighted the work of the Heart Children charity.

Sinead Burke, 19, who is from Tymon and is a past pupil of Tallaght Community School, underwent open heart surgery in 2021 and currently takes medication on a daily basis.

However, she is also a skilled dancer who will be taking part in the Irish Dancing World Championships next month, and she described her condition as having a minimal impact on her.

“When I was growing up, I didn’t have any symptoms,” Sinead, who was born without a bicuspid valve and had a heart murmur, told The Echo.

“I was fine all my life and ‘normal’, as such. I was fine, other than having to go to hospital appointments and have check-ups – that was the only time I felt different.”

One of the few limitations placed on Sinead because of her condition included not being allowed to take part in contact sports, meaning she had to sit-out many PE lessons in school.

“I also can’t lift heavy objects because of the strain it would place on my heart,” she explained. “But I can do most day-to-day things.”

Now an early childhood education and care student in TU Dublin-Tallaght, Sinead said her involvement with Heart Children – which she linked in with last year – has been a huge help.

“When I was in Crumlin Children’s Hospital, I had a clinical nurse specialist and she told me about Heart Children and their Youth Council,” said Sinead.

Sinead Burke with her dad Anthony, mum Lisa, and her brother Anthony at Finnstown Castle Hotel

Sinead became a member of the Youth Council, which is instrumental in supporting young people who have heart conditions as they transition out of the care of Crumlin and into adult services in the Mater.

“Heart Children are so good,” said Sinead. “Any questions or queries you have, they’re always there to help you if you need anything.

“We’re trying, in the Youth Council, to organise a booklet to show people the differences when you change from Crumlin to the Mater and we’re trying to get more people onto the council too.”

For now, Sinead’s key focus is on preparing for the Irish Dancing World Championships in Co Kerry next month.

“I have classes twice a week, and I’m practicing at home too,” she said.

Sinead added that the fitness she gained from Irish dancing was an important factor in her quick recovery from open heart surgery in 2021 – as she was discharged from hospital after six days.

Bar the occasional need for her to take a breather in the middle of Irish dancing, Sinead still continues to live a full and healthy life while managing her heart condition.

For more information on congenital heart disease and the work of the charity Heart Children, visit www.heartchildren.ie.