“I was 15 and rowing in a race in Columbus,” said Rachelle, who has been an avid rower since she was about 8 years old. “I was less than half way through the 2,000 meter race and I passed out in the boat.”
Rachelle’s mom, Joleen said she was taking pictures for the team and was waiting at the 1500 meter mark, only to find what looked like an empty spot where Rachelle should have been in the boat.
“I had no idea what had happened until I went to find her,” Joleen said. “She had passed out and had no memory and was asking why she wasn’t rowing.”
Since Rachelle seemed fine once she regained consciousness, Joleen waited to take her daughter to the hospital when they arrived back in Dayton. “They treated her for dehydration and gave her fluids,” Joleen said. “They said she was very healthy and to follow up with our family doctor.”
The following week, Rachelle was referred to a pediatric cardiologist and had an EKG. Her results were normal but the doctor recommended an exercise stress test for the next day, just to make sure all was well.
“Four minutes into the test, her heart rhythm went from normal to very elevated,” Joleen said.
A physician at Cincinnati Children’s who specialized in sudden death arrhythmia, diagnosed Rachelle’s abnormal rhythm as the rare CPVT, which affects only about one in every 10,000 people. He also delivered the disappointing news that Rachelle would no longer be able to participate in sports or stress her heart in any way.
“This is the type of heart condition that usually doesn’t show up in athletes until they drop dead,” Rachelle said.
Suddenly sidelined, the athletic teenager didn’t care how she ended up here – whether the mostly inherited condition came from her father’s or her mother’s side of the family. All she knew was that her whole world was suddenly turned upside down.
“I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy,” Rachelle said.
Rachelle was put on medications and relegated to sitting on the couch. “I wanted to live my life but I wanted a life worth living,” she said. “If you are not happy then what’s the point?”
Her mother agreed and shortly before her 16th birthday, they traveled to the Mayo Clinic where Rachelle met a doctor who would change her life. “He asked me if I really wanted to row then we could make it happen,” Rachelle said. “As long as we all agreed to do some compromising.”
Five days later, Rachelle had a life changing surgery that effectively removed the pathway for the adrenalin to reach her heart. Within a couple of days post-surgery, she noticed a “huge” difference.
“Getting that surgery was the best decision I ever made,” Rachelle said.
Rachelle felt as if she got her life back when the doctor gave her to the green light to start rowing again. She worked hard for the next 18 months to get back to the shape she was in before she was diagnosed.
Last year, Rachelle and her mom were approached by the Make a Wish Foundation, and were told they could apply for a wish.
“It took me a while to decide to apply,” Rachelle said. “I didn’t want to take away from another kid who is terminal.”
Once Rachelle decided to apply for her wish, her choice was simple. “It was my dream to go to the Olympics and compete for my country,” she said. “But it’s something I probably won’t be able to do in my life.”
Rachelle asked for a trip to the 2016 games in Rio. “We found out in February of this year that she was going to get her wish,” Joleen said.
Rachelle and her mom were treated to a week-long stay in Rio that included watching rowing, swimming, gymnastics and fencing events.
As mom and daughter celebrated their shared birthday Aug. 12, the Make a Wish staff surprised them with a traditional Brazilian cake and two tickets to the rowing finals, which they were to attend on their final day in Rio.
“Being able to go to the rowing finals was the best part of the trip,” Rachelle said. “We got to meet a lot of athletes afterward. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Now back in college and working toward a degree in exercise science, Rachelle said her future is bright and she has been cleared by her doctor to participate in any and all sports.
“The surgery has made me almost normal,” Rachelle said. “I still take medication but it’s a small price to pay for being able to live your dreams.”
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