Marvelous medicine

Zoe has a condition called POTS. It’s something she has to manage every day, while trying to stay positive. To help her do that, Satan’s Little Helper wanted to give her a reason to smile. And what makes her smile? Marvel, of course!

At 13-years-old, Zoe was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) – a condition which makes the heart rate increase excessively upon standing, which causes dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting. Symptoms also include limb shaking, sweating, blurred vision, chest pain, sleep issues, digestive issues and weakness in the legs.

“During the diagnosis stage, she was told a lot of symptoms were in her head,” explains Zoe’s mum, Raynor.

“It took a long time to figure out what was happening with her body. Normally our bodies adjust to every movement we make, so we function without realising it, but Zoe’s doesn’t.

“Every time she moves, her nervous system goes into overdrive. Her heart rate soars, then her blood pressure drops, which puts her in danger of losing consciousness and fainting. That’s what caused a recent head injury she’s just starting rehab for!”

Doing her best

Raynor says that Zoe tries her best to manage her symptoms but that a “full house” she shares with three other siblings can make it tricky. Plus, rather understandably, her mental health has “taken a dive”.

“Her days became filled with cardiologist appointments, heart monitors, concussion rehab, mental health appointments, which have now advanced into further treatment. It makes me so happy that she’s getting treatment but it can be tough for her to go through.

“It’s a lot for any young girl to manage,” she says. “Especially when she’s dealing with feelings of anxiety, as well as trying to manage her ADHD.”

Calm amid the chaos

To give Zoe some peace and quiet as she tries to manage POTS, anxiety and ADHD, Satan’s Little Helper sent her for a spa day!

“It was lovely to see her out and about, like a teenager should be, enjoying life,” says Raynor.

“In true Zoe fashion and her love for Marvel movies, she went for Marvel-themed nails during her spa day and was absolutely stoked with her treat. Thank you so much!”

In other good news, Zoe is benefitting from the time spent with her healthcare workers and has begun to fulfil some of her early life ambitions!

“What a couple of months,” beams Raynor. “Zoe is doing great at the moment and is managing her diagnosis well. It’s really encouraging to see that it’s not stopping her from achieving what she wants.

“She has just got her first job and is doing NCEA English a year early! I’m so proud of her.”