Little Troopers honours brave and resilient Isabella for overcoming health challenges with a smile

Little Troopers is proud to announce Isabella as our May Little Trooper of the Month.

Eight-year-old Isabella has shown remarkable courage and resilience throughout her life while facing significant health challenges, adapting to military life and navigating multiple house and school moves.

Before she was even born, Isabella was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition and has since undergone two open-heart surgeries at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Throughout her childhood, she has also faced additional health challenges, including hearing loss in her right ear and ongoing respiratory issues requiring specialist care.

As the daughter of a serving British Army soldier, Isabella has experienced the unique challenges of military life alongside her medical journey. Frequent moves, changing schools, periods of separation from her dad due to military commitments and time spent in hospital have all been part of her childhood.

Despite these challenges, Isabella continues to approach life with positivity, determination and a smile. Her family describe her as full of life, always ready to sing, dance, make friends and enjoy every opportunity that comes her way.

When Isabella was just a baby, her family relocated following support from the Army to be closer to Birmingham Children’s Hospital ahead of her first open-heart surgery. She later underwent a second operation during the COVID-19 pandemic, making an already difficult time even more challenging for the family.

Since then, Isabella has continued to adapt to military life, including moving across the UK, settling into new schools and making new friends. Alongside these changes, she has faced the loss of her beloved grandmother and continued hospital appointments and treatments.

Today, Isabella enjoys drama, swimming and playing the piano. She loves spending time with her friends and is kept busy by her mischievous cocker spaniel, Lady and her two cats, Floss and Catterick.

Her family said:

“Isabella has taken everything in her stride and Birmingham Children’s Hospital has become her second home. She continues to smile and be her cheeky, beautiful self, despite everything she has had to endure.

“It hasn’t always been easy when Dad has been away with work and we’ve had to move schools and homes, but she has done it all like a true Little Trooper.

“We are so proud of her bravery, strength and resilience. She is our sunshine and our little star.”

Louise Fetigan MBE, founder of Little Troopers, said:

“Isabella is an extraordinary young girl who has faced more challenges in her eight years than many people face in a lifetime.

“Through major surgeries, hospital appointments, school moves and the challenges of military life, she has remained positive, determined and full of joy. Her resilience is truly inspiring and makes her a very deserving Little Trooper of the Month. Well done, Isabella.”

As our latest Little Trooper of the Month, Isabella will receive a Little Troopers medal, a £100 Hobbycraft gift voucher and her certificate.