A brave 5-year-old from Old Sodbury is at home recovering after undergoing open heart surgery.

Catalina Nuevo had the major operation following a number of complications found with her heart and now her mother, Marta would like to raise awareness about heart defects in children.

Marta Nuevo Goode is using social media to help others understand the many heart defects that children can have and the difficulties they face.

She is blogging Catalina's journey on TikTok and Instagram.

Marta's daughter Catalina had surgery in March for a number of complications with her heart. She was diagnosed with a heart murmur at birth which was found to be caused by a ventricular septal defect; a hole in her heart.

Catalina has had regular scans since. Her most recent scan found more issues including a double chambered right ventricle and surgery was initially planned for February before being put back until March.

Although the surgery was deemed successful, she unfortunately still has two ‘leaky’ valves and so will have to undergo further surgeries as she grows.

Marta and her husband Karl want to raise awareness because they feels people look at Catalina and think she is like most children her age and that people don’t understand the severity of her illness.

Ms Nuevo said: “Its literally like my house is on fire, but no can see it, Catalina looks like any other child her age.

“ Having a congenital heart defect is a lifelong condition. I want to try and build a community of parents that understand one another and what we have to go through.

“Sadly many parents live from scan to scan thankful for the good news but all too wary that the next scan could be the one to set the wheels in motion for further procedures and surgeries.”

Marta said the support of Heart Heroes, a charity that works with Bristol Children’s Hospital’s heart ward, has been invaluable. The team at Heart Heroes work with children and their families living with heart conditions, providing services for the children, to help them meet others who are in similar situations and allow their family to talk to other families going through related experiences.

Catalina was gifted a hospital gown, hoody and water bottle by the Heart Heroes and Marta said the gifts made Cataline realise she was not alone and that there are more ‘heart warriors.’

Marta now wants to help raise funds for the charity and has a unique fundraising idea she stumbled upon during Catalinas hospital stay.

“Catalina and her friend Poppy, another heart warrior, loved watching the film ‘Yes Day’ during their time on the Dolphin Ward.” She said.

“I decided that it would be a fantastic way to raise money- if parents were sponsored to have to say Yes! All day for one day- obviously the children think it’s a fantastic idea, and we will be pleased to give back to them for everything they have done for us.”

Plans will be made for the sponsored Yes! Day once coronavirus restrictions allow.