Charlie Clarke has lived with pectus excavatum, a condition that makes the chest appear sunken or hollow, since she was a teenager. She has been waiting for surgery for this condition for years. She hopes to raise awareness of the condition and its effects, which include breathlessness and an increased heart rate.
Charlie's condition has been difficult to diagnose and treat. She was misdiagnosed with anxiety before being correctly diagnosed at age 23. Early treatment is key for this condition, but Northern Ireland does not provide non-surgical treatment, and patients often have to go to England for help.
Charlie's surgery will involve placing metal bars and a plate in her chest to correct the deformity. She hopes to help others with the condition, including her younger sister, avoid the long waits and health complications she has experienced.
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