By Kerri D. and the SADS Foundation
Updated February 25, 2026 | 5 minute read
In 2014, Kerri collapsed at home. Her pulse was racing at 276 beats per minute. She was rushed to the hospital, where her heart stopped – then restarted in a normal rhythm. After multiple tests and three MRI scans, Kerri finally had an answer: Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC, also known as ACM).
For Kerri, the hardest parts of ACM haven’t just been medical. Before her diagnosis, she loved being active with her son: running around and playing football. After ACM entered the picture, she grieved the parts of parenting that suddenly felt out of reach.
“One of the biggest challenges is acting like everything is fine when really, sometimes I feel ill,” she says.
Big family trips like Alton Towers or adventures like climbing Snowdon can also be challenging when she wants to join in fully, but her body sometimes asks her to step back.
For Kerri, the hardest parts of ACM haven’t just been medical.
Kerri’s treatment includes two different beta blockers and an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). It’s a combination that helps protect her, but it also serves as a constant reminder that her heart needs more support than it used to.
And still Kerri keeps moving forward.
In 2021, she began a new chapter: training as a Student Veterinary Nurse. Between working at a local practice, studying for exams, and keeping up with coursework, her life is busy in the best way. She’s also a mum to a 14-year-old.
Kerri still finds lots of joy in her life. She loves swimming and singing, and she treasures day trips with her family – moments that may look different than they once did, but still matter just as much.
If Kerri could offer encouragement to someone newly diagnosed with ACM, it’s this: don’t let the condition rule your life.
“Everyone has different severities of the illness, but live to the best of your abilities.”
“Everyone has different severities of the illness, but live to the best of your abilities,” she says. “Don’t push yourself to do more than what you can; remember to take breaks when possible.”
Through it all, Kerri says the SADS Foundation has helped her understand her condition – and just as importantly, reminded her that she’s not alone. Having a community she can access anytime, especially on Facebook, has connected her with others living with a range of heart conditions – people who understand the fear, the frustration, and the resilience it takes to keep going.
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