Peer support person
– For you
Peer support persons from the Finnish Association for Heart Children and Adults are divided into two categories:
- Peer supporters who have a heart defect themselves
- Peer supporters whose child or close relative has a heart defect
Additionally, some peer supporters belong to both groups.
If you are unsure who to contact, reach out to the association’s office, and we will guide you to the appropriate peer supporter.
“I commit to comforting, encouraging, and giving hope and faith in a time of crisis.”
– The peer supporter’s value promise
Peer support persons
Having a heart defect myself
I was born in 1996 and am a heart adult. I have a single ventricle heart and have undergone four surgeries. At the moment, I am generally doing well. My family includes my husband, a preschool-aged child, and two dogs. I currently work in the social services field. I am also an active member of the Turku regional department.
language skills: finnish, english
aino@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi
We are a family from Päijät-Häme. My children, born in 2011, 2013, and 2017, and I have Long QT Syndrome, type 2. I am kind, open, and positive by nature.
Language skills: finnish, english
joni@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi
Krista
I was born in 1988 and am a heart adult. My heart diagnosis is complex, and in addition, I suffer from several chronic illnesses. I belong to the Turku regional department and the Synja (Heart youths) working group.
Language skills: finnish, english, spanish
krista@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi
Niina
I have a rare hereditary heart arrhythmia condition called CPVT. In addition to medication, I have an arrhythmia pacemaker. I am happy to talk about hereditary heart arrhythmia conditions and anything related to them! You can also contact me about any other concerns. I am from the Tampere regional department.
Language skills: finnish, english
niina@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi
Nina
I was born in 1975 and am a heart adult, as well as the mother of an adult son with a healthy heart. My heart conditions include a bicuspid aortic valve, mild aortic stenosis, and an ascending aortic arch aneurysm. The VSD has closed on its own. For now, my treatment is based on monitoring. I am from the Turku regional department.
Language skills: finnish, english, swedish
nina@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi
“I promise to be present for you when you need it and to support and help you on your path towards accepting your situation.”
– The peer supporter’s value promise
Peer support persons
with a child or close relative who has a heart defect
Anna-Maria
I am the mother of a heart child born in 2018. We learned about the rare heart defect when he was 9 months old, and emergency surgery was performed. He has ALCAPA. Our family lives in the capital region. I am also a member of the Uusimaa regional chapter’s activity group.
Language skills: finnish, finnish sign language and english
anna-maria@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi
Carina
I am now the mother of adult children with LQTS1 and the spouse of a man with LQTS1 from Uusimaa. The diagnoses were only discovered when our younger child reached their teenage years.
Language skills: finnish, english
carina@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi
Joni
We are a family from Päijät-Häme. My children, born in 2011, 2013, and 2017, and I all have Long QT Syndrome, Type 2. I am naturally friendly, open, and positive.
Language skills: finnish, english
joni@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi
Kaisa
I am the mother of a child born in 2012 with a congenital heart defect in Kempele. The condition is a TOF-type Pa+Vsd. Our family also includes my husband and our children, born in 2009 and 2010, who are heart-healthy. I am the contact person for the North Ostrobothnia regional department.
Language skills: finnish, english
kaisa@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi
Keni
I am the mother of a child born in 2012 with a congenital heart defect in Kempele. The condition is a TOF-type Pa+Vsd. Our family also includes my husband and our children, born in 2009 and 2010, who are heart-healthy. I am the contact person for the North Ostrobothnia regional department.
Language skills: finnish, english
keni@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi
Sarita
am the mother of a child born in 2014 with HLHS/ single ventricle heart. All three supportive surgeries have been completed. I also belong to the Uusimaa regional department and the board of the association.
sarita@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi
Susanne
I am the mother of a child born in 2018 with a congenital heart defect from South Ostrobothnia. The diagnosis is AVSD+PA. My child has undergone a total of 4 heart surgeries and also has a pacemaker. A PEG tube was used until the age of 3.
Language skills: finnish, english
Tatiana
I am the mother of a son born in 2005 from Uusimaa. The diagnosis is a single ventricle heart, and he also has mild ADD. Our family also includes a female cat named Nochka.
Language skills: finnish, english, russian and spanish
tatiana@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi
Yvonne
I am the mother of two children with heart conditions: a son born in 2013 with aortic coarctation and a daughter born in 2016 with a single ventricle heart. Our family also includes my husband and sons born in 2011, 2014, and 2016. I am also a member of the Uusimaa regional department.
My native language is Swedish.
Langauge skills: swedish, english and finnish
yvonne@sydanlapsetjaaikuiset.fi