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Along the riverside by Shrewsbury’s English Bridge lies a striking red bench, surrounded by greenery and flowers, which holds a meaningful story. Unlike typical memorial benches dedicated to those who have passed away, this one honors someone still very much alive. The gold plaque reveals its unique dedication to Faith Harrison, a 24-year-old from Little Minsterley who survived a remarkable seven-hour heart attack at the age of 22 in January 2024.
Faith’s experience was caused by two congenital heart defects she had never been aware of. After emergency surgery cleared a dangerous blood clot blocking 90% of one of her arteries, doctors told her she was fortunate to be alive. Once a personal trainer, bodybuilder, weightlifter, and avid hockey player and runner, her life took a dramatic turn. Unable to continue her previous exercise routine, she now channels her passion into running a pilates studio she established following the heart attack. Though she does not reside in Shrewsbury, the bench’s location by her business makes it a meaningful spot where she can reflect and connect.
The bench is part of a larger project by the British Heart Foundation to mark its 65th anniversary, with 65 benches installed across the UK. Their aim is not only to celebrate lives touched by heart conditions but also to encourage open conversations about cardiovascular disease. Faith visits the bench frequently and views it as more than just a symbol of her survival. “It’s not about me – the bench… it does go beyond me and it does go for everyone that’s got cardiovascular disease,” she shared. She hopes the bench inspires people to live fully and appreciate life as a precious gift.
Faith’s story also shines a light on the stigma often faced by those with heart conditions. A survey by the British Heart Foundation found that over half of UK adults living with cardiovascular disease have felt judged or embarrassed about their condition. Faith understands this firsthand, recalling how after her story reached the news, some wrongly accused her of steroid or drug use. “When they found out I had one and it wasn’t because of any of those reasons, it was congenital, I did get asked a lot of questions,” she said. Despite the challenges, she used her experience to educate others and encourage more open dialogue around heart health, turning her personal trials into inspiration for many
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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