## Former Patient Returns to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital as Nurse, Completing Emotional Journey
A Cardiff woman who once depended on Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for life-saving treatment has now returned to the same halls—not as a patient, but as a nurse caring for others. Cati Williamson’s story is a remarkable example of someone coming full circle, bringing her own experience as a patient into her work as a medical professional.
Cati’s medical journey began before she was even born. Issues were detected during her mother Dawn’s 20-week pregnancy scan, with concerns about a curvature in Cati’s neck. Upon birth, Cati seemed healthy but it soon became clear there was more to her condition. At just one week old, doctors performed an MRI to examine her scoliosis, but the scan revealed far more complex and serious cardiac defects. Cati was found to have a significant hole in her heart, misaligned arteries, overlapping heart valves, and a narrowed aorta, all contributing to dangerously low oxygen levels.
With her life hanging in the balance, Cati underwent the first of several major surgeries at only three weeks old. What followed were years of frequent admissions, invasive procedures, and repeated operations, including a pivotal ‘replumbing’ of her heart at age five. Throughout, she faced not just medical challenges but social ones too, managing visible differences related to her scoliosis and undergoing extended spells being tube-fed because she couldn’t eat orally until well past her first birthday.
For many people, an experience like this would be enough to make hospitals an unwelcome memory. Instead, Cati recalls her childhood times at Noah’s Ark with unexpected fondness. She describes the hospital as a ‘second home’ where she always felt secure. Childhood friends might miss school trips for fun, but Cati says she proudly looked forward to hospital visits—even preferring them to class outings.
Today, at the age of 23, Cati has achieved her ambition of becoming a paediatric nurse at the very hospital where she once depended on the staff for survival. Significantly, she now works on the Pelican Ward—the same cardiac unit where she was once treated. The transition has been a profound one, as she now finds herself collaborating with some of the nurses who cared for her in infancy. “It’s really surreal,” Cati explained. “I have to be the carer now, not the patient. Some of the nurses who are now my colleagues looked after me when I was a baby. It truly feels like everything has come full circle.”
Her journey has not been without obstacles. Academically, Cati admits she struggled, doubting at times whether her dream was even achievable. However, her determination and the deep connection she felt to the work and environment pushed her to persevere. “I’m really proud,” she said. “It’s a dream come true to work here, to give back. It’s a bit strange, but also so rewarding.”
Cati’s experience as a child in long-term hospital care has made a lasting difference in how she approaches her role. Not only does she empathise with young patients, but she’s also a source of reassurance for their families. After her story became more widely known, some parents reached out to thank her for sharing it, saying it brought comfort knowing a former patient was now part of the caring staff. “It puts people at ease because they can see you truly understand what they’re going through,” she said. Cati believes it builds important trust and illustrates to families that positive outcomes are possible, even through challenging medical journeys.
Nevertheless, Cati continues to live with the realities of her own scoliosis. She acknowledges the physical and emotional challenges, noting it’s still sometimes difficult for her to fully accept the marks and scars that serve as a permanent reminder of her journey. “Your scars tell a story,” she said. “It’s something I am still coming to terms with.”
As the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital marks 25 years of service, Cati embodies the resilience and dedication that the NHS strives for. She is quick to credit her colleagues and the broader hospital community, describing how essential support from fellow staff remains: “We rely on each other. When challenges come our way, we get on with it and support one another.”
Cati’s story is not only a testament to medical advances and teamwork but also an example of what is possible when former patients return to inspire and care for the next generation. Her journey serves both as a beacon of hope for families facing uncertainty and a reminder of the enduring human spirit at the heart of the NHS.