My name is Kaitlin Lawrence – I was an elite netball athlete, playing in the Scotland international senior squad for the past 3 seasons, training with the Scottish Commonwealth Games squad and World Cup squad in 2022 and 2023. I was a squad player for Surrey Storm, an ex-professional team in the Netball Superleague (NSL – the professional league in the UK) and was playing for The Downs Netball Club in Premier League 1. I had just come off a very successful four years playing for the University of Exeter 1st Netball Team and captaining them for seasons 2021/22 and 2022/23. I was training and/or playing netball six days a week at university and never had any health issues or any reason to believe there was an underlying issue.
In October 2023 I collapsed whilst playing netball completely out of the blue. After an ECG and MRI, I was told I had myocarditis and was allowed to return to play. I was fitted with an implantable loop recorder to monitor any further cardiac activity, and the team did a genetic test for research – I thought nothing of it. I returned to full netball training and playing in January 2024 and returned to Scotland to train in an international elite environment. I had no further issues and we all believed it was a one-off unfortunate event.
In August 2023 I was trialling for the new professional netball league with London Pulse and without knowing, I suffered a severe ventricular arrhythmia, with my heart going to 294 bpm. The cardiology unit at Royal Surrey County Hospital called me, I was admitted to CCU and two days after competing at one of the highest levels in netball, I was told I can never play netball, or any sport, at even close to that level again.
I was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ARVC), pkp2 gene positive. We have no family history of this condition so naturally this has been a complete shock, and it has been extremely tough to deal with such a big change in my life, after playing netball at elite level for years with no issues. I am now under Professor Behr at St George’s and recently have been fitted with an ICD for preventative measures. I have been told that I will be allowed to play netball recreationally but can never return to high level due to the severe consequences this could have.
Coming across CRY has been the best thing after such an overwhelming period. I have been able to listen to different cardiologists discuss my condition and been in touch with others who experience my condition. I have received advice from others who have had defibrillators fitted which has really helped me understand the important of the device and give me peace of mind in understanding my condition. I know now how lucky I am to be in the position that my condition has been found, and I can be monitored.
