A toddler who is living in hospital desperately needs a new heart after being left brain damaged by a devastating disease.Aalayah Stewart has been at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle for 10 months with a mechanical pump, called a Berlin heart, which is carrying out the function of her failed organ.The three-year-old from Newarthill, near Motherwell requires round the clock care and won't be able to return home to her family until she has a successful transplant operation.The brave youngster first fell critically ill in December 2022 after a common virus called RSV attacked her heart.Doctors then diagnosed Aalayah with cardiomyopathy - a disorder that affects the heart muscles.
She was hooked up to a ventilator and a specialist heart machine, called an Ecmo - which took over the function of her heart.Aalayah initially bounced back, however, last March her life was turned upside down when she suffered a cardiac arrest in The Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow.Aalayah was rushed to Freeman Hospital by police escort where specialists fitted the Berlin heart.
Dad Thomas told the Record: "Aalayah's heart is broken and she needs a new one. She won't be able to come home until she does.
We feel like our hearts are broken too."Our girl is incredible, she performs miracles every day. What she has been through is inspiring to us all."Her family is missing her so much.