In the pool, 13-year-old Mia is in her element – a rising star who is amassing medals and smashing records at swim meets.
But Mia’s journey towards swimming success has been more difficult than most kids.
After heading home from the hospital as a baby, Mia’s parents noticed her jaundice was getting worse, her stomach was swelling, and she wouldn’t settle without being close to her Mum.
A GP check-up at two months old turned Mia and her family’s life upside down – her liver was failing.
The Queensland Children’s Hospital quickly became Mia’s new home. She underwent several tests and required regular blood transfusions, special supplements and special monitoring to ensure she remained strong enough for a transplant.
It was an anxious time for Mia and her family as they waited and hoped for a liver transplant.
After two months, that lifechanging call came.
Mia underwent surgery for a liver transplant and was given a second chance at life, thanks to the selfless generosity of a donor and their family.
The transplant meant Mia could finally have a normal, healthy childhood – going to school, making friends, and joining activities such as dance, speech and drama, swimming, running and flute.
But when Mia was 10 years old, her health took another turn for the worse.
This time, her family relocated from Toowoomba to Brisbane as they faced the reality of Mia requiring another transplant.
“That meant changing schools, making new friends, and settling into a new city,” Mia said.
“As I got sicker, I had to give up my favourite activities, which was really hard.”
Then one night, the phone rang.
In a rush, bags were packed and they hurried back to the hospital where another liver had been donated for Mia.
The surgery was a success and eight days later, Mia got to go home.
Six weeks after that, she was back at school and returning to the sport she loves – swimming.
In November 2024, Mia competed in her first swim meet in more than 3 years.
“My goal at my first meet was to set new times to allow me to swim in multi class events at the Queensland Swimming Championships in December 2024,” Mia said.
“But the unexpected happened - I not only set some new times, but I set National qualifying times.”
It was a huge moment for Mia, whose strength, determination and passion for swimming continues to grow.
Mia says she owes everything to the two donors and two families who gave her another chance at life.
“I am forever grateful to my donors and their families. Because of them, I am now competing at a national level in multi-class swimming and breaking Australian and state records.
“We celebrate my achievements - but we always remember that they wouldn’t be possible without my donors.
“Every year, on the anniversary of my transplants, my family and I take time to remember them and to celebrate the incredible gifts they have given me.
“I would not be here today without them,” she said.