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A courageous youngster who needs a new heart has met her music idol.
Maddie Simon, from Querns Road in Canterbury, was born with Ebstein's Anomaly - a rare heart defect that affects the functioning of the heart valves.
The 12-year-old was placed on life support when she was just a few hours old, while specialists worked to find out what was wrong.
Little Maddie was rushed from the William Harvey in Ashford to the Evelina Children’s Hospital in London.
“She was on life support and medication, but they gradually took her off it,” says mum Marie.
Maddie went for almost a decade without needing intervention. But aged eight she needed "a massive heart operation".
They operated on a valve, and cut part of her heart away because it’s so enlarged,” says Marie.
“We’ve had a few scares. A couple of years ago they thought she would have to go on the transplant list straight away.
“Last month, we were told it would hopefully be 10 years before she needs it. That was great news.
"We haven’t had a timeframe like that before.
“They’re finding out more and more all the time and doing research, so for us it’s the later the better.”
In the meantime, Canterbury Academy pupil Maddie requires a lot of medication and regular monitoring from consultants.
“She tries to go to school full time but she has a lot of time off,” said Ms Simon.
“She gets breathless and very, very tired.”
Despite this, Maddie hopes to someday become a children’s nurse at the Evelina.
Last month, her greatest wish was granted by charity Rays of Sunshine when she got to go to Reading Festival and meet her idol Billie Eilish backstage.
She and her family watched the singer perform from a special viewing area. The electro-pop artist chatted with Maddie and took time to sign merchandise and take pictures with her.
Maddie said: "It’s her style and her voice and her personality I like - just everything about her.
“She just hugged me, and said ‘I hope you stay well’.
"It was really overwhelming and really exciting - it just didn’t feel real at the time. I was happy but I was crying at the same time.”
Marie added: “Billie was really lovely and a real sweetheart.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Maddie this happy and enthusiastic.”
