A PLUCKY schoolgirl who fought back to health after a heart transplant operation celebrated a "second birthday" this week by commemorating the anniversary of her new heart.

Colette Geraghty, 13, of On-the-Hill, Carpenders Park, was struck down with dilated cardiomyopathy, which caused two strokes and partially paralysed her.

On Tuesday, June 4, this year, the teenager celebrated the first anniversary of her life-saving heart transplant operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London.

Her mother, Maggie Geraghty, 46, said: "All heart transplant patients have two birthdays, because having a new heart is like being re-born into this world.

"My daughter was so weak last year, she spent her days in bed, or yo-yo-ing from Watford General Hospital, to Great Ormond Street Hospital."

She explained that Colette who is known to school friends as Lottie, at St Joan of Arc Catholic School, Rickmansworth would never fully recover from her strokes.

She said: "The strokes have effected her movements, she can not walk very far without a wheelchair and gets tired very easily.

"But, this is a big accomplishment for her considering doctors were telling us it would be a few years before she would walk again.

"We were also told Colette would have to have home tuition from now on as she would struggle with school, but St Joan of Arc School have been wonderful to take her back and restore her confidence, they know how vital school is for Colette and how important it was for her to be with friends.

"There are obviously things that my daughter can not do that other pupils can, but teachers have always tried to accommodate her needs.

She added: "But my daughter is determined to lead a normal life, she is a fighter and has achieved remarkable things.

"I think we have become a lot closer and stronger as a family.

"One of the things I admire about Colette is her inner strength and her ability to keep smiling despite the things that have happened to her."

Colette said she was feeling a lot better since the heart transplant.

Talking about the night she was struck down she said: "I was up in my room and the next thing I collapsed, I was taken to Watford General Hospital, then Great Ormond Street Hospital where I had my second stroke everything else in between is just a blur."

Commenting on her health she said: "They (the doctors) told me I would not walk, but I said I would, no matter what anybody said. It was not that difficult, but my family helped me."

The teenager said she was determined not to miss school, she said: "I still try to get involved with sports like rounders, shot-put, and javelin, I am just happy to be better.

"Before I got ill, I used to love Irish dancing, but I cannot dance, I really miss it. I hope one day my body will be strong enough to let me dance again."

Mr Stephen Killingbeck, acting head of Year 8 at St Joan of Arc Catholic School, said: "All her friends and teachers are delighted to see her back in school.

"She has managed to pick up from where she left off in terms of her education.

"We all admire her for being so brave and determined to get on with her life she a very strong person."

He added: "The lovely thing about her is that she does not make a fuss or ask for special treatment because of her condition.

"When she returned to the school she was in her wheelchair, but now she is using it less because she is getting stronger long may that continue."

June 5, 2002 17:00