A YOUNG girl who lives her life with only half a heart after being born with a potentially fatal condition has not let her various and severe medical issues hold her back - and is now preparing to take on the Great North Run in aid of charity.

At only 13 years old, Arabella Canetti has experienced more trauma than most adults go through in their entire lives.

Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome - a rare congenital defect that occurs in around one in 4,000 babies and is often deadly - the youngster from Penistone had her first surgery when she was only five days old.

In many cases the condition is picked up on during pregnancy, however with Arabella all the signs were missed, leaving doctors without a plan and forcing them to put her on life support two days after she was born.

Over her life, she has undergone a further three high-risk open heart surgeries and a number of catheter procedures which were intended to improve her quality of life and allow her to go out and experience the same lifestyle as her peers.

Her mum, Emma, told the Chronicle: “It’s a life-limiting condition - she’s had four major surgeries just to create a heart that can function.

“They’ve only been doing these kinds of operations successfully for the last 30 years so it’s really difficult for them to predict how long she’s got.

“People can live for 30, 40 or 50 years - others don’t make it to adulthood and some die in infancy.

“And like with every condition it can affect people differently - there’s lots of other problems too like liver complications due to the amount of different medicines that are needed.”

The condition affects the left side of her heart, meaning that she is not able to properly pump oxygen around her body.

Her numerous surgeries have essentially left her with half a heart, as doctors retrofit the chambers on the right side to manage all blood flow.

However her last surgery 18 months ago came as a shock, as it was discovered Arabella needed a valve repair and had a pacemaker installed.

No-one can say how long Arabella - who also lives with autism - has left and so her loved ones are making sure she can make the most of whatever time she has.

While her condition does limit what she can do, her family have worked hard to give her every opportunity they can, with singing becoming a major passion of hers.

Two years back she joined Angel Voices Performing Arts Academy in Darton and has loved every second of it.

“She loves to perform - she’s been doing singing and acting since she was very young,” Emma added.

“There are difficulties, some of her friends have gone on to do really physical sports that she can’t safely do like football and gymnastics - but we’ve always tried to spot activities she can do so she’s got a friendship group.

“She’s handled everything really well, she’s so strong.

“We are an extremely positive family that encourage Arabella to do and try everything and never let her disability get in the way.”

The unstoppable Penistone Grammar School pupil has now set her sights on her next challenge, as she’s signed up for the 2.5k Junior Great North Run in September to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation along with the rest of her family.

She’s already started joining in with the weekly Barnsley Parkrun in Locke Park to get ready, though will have to walk most of the journey.

“People don’t see her struggles - if they don’t know about the complications they won’t know she’s disabled.

“Occasionally she’ll use a wheelchair, but otherwise people don’t realise how remarkable her achievements really are.

“She’s so brave and with all that she has to overcome she never complains and never moans.”

Her music teacher, Debbie Angel, said: “Despite the challenges she faces, Arabella is one of the bravest little girls I have ever met.

“She never lets anything stop her - the work we’ve done together on both her breathing and vocal agility would be a huge challenge even for the fittest of people.

“Arabella is kind, funny, and always wears a smile.

“We absolutely adore her at Angel Voices, and all the students love her too.”

Chloe Beevers, partnership manager at the BHF, praised Arabella’s efforts.

“It’s fantastic that Arabella is taking part in this year’s run around the iconic Newcastle Gateshead Quayside.

“We know how hard she’s training to be at her best to complete the course.

“She’s an incredible girl and richly deserves this Barnsley Chronicle award nomination.

“Without the dedication of people like Arabella and our team of BHF runners we wouldn’t be able to fund research that has already broken new ground, revolutionised treatments and transformed the lives of millions of people in the UK.”