"When Eva was born we thought we were welcoming a healthy little girl to the world. When she was rushed to Westmead Children's Hospital with an erratic heartbeat and enlarged heart shortly after being born, we knew Eva was fighting for her life, a fight that continues to this day" Daniel - Eva's dad.

 

Katherine and Daniel, Eva's parents, were faced with the news that Eva had an extremely rare chromosome disorder. Eva was diagnosed with Chromosome 6q deletion (6q23.5-25.1), and she is the only person in the world missing that exact DNA. She is also diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, which requires a heart transplant, Developmental Delay, and at age 4, Eva was diagnosed with Autism. 

 

A team of doctors and specialists have been working with Eva and her family to understand and care for her complex and unique needs. The journey has been a difficult one, as not a lot is known about her rare condition.

 

Despite Eva's challenges, Katherine and Daniel are determined to provide the best life opportunities for their little girl. So when it came to starting school, they made the decision that Eva would commence school at the same time and age as her friends.

 

When Katherine and Daniel first visited St Gabriel's School they were inspired by its strong sense of security, acceptance and community. In St Gabriel's they found a small specialised school with caring and professional teachers and staff, all aiming to reach each student's potential for learning and growth. Katherine and Daniel knew Eva would be encouraged to reach her goals and would be challenged and motivated by the rich experiences and specialised programs offered at the School.

 

Now in Year 2, Eva has made great academic and social progress and has many friends at St Gabriel's. Most importantly she's a happy girl with a hope-filled future! Eva still faces the challenge of her ongoing heart condition. For her parents, however, there is comfort in knowing that Eva is developing academically, socially and emotionally, thanks to St Gabriel's.