On April 27th 2010, our daughter Ruby Lambert went to school as usual. No one knew that Ruby had an extremely rare heart rhythm disorder, which later that day caused her to collapse with massive heart failure. Ruby stopped breathing and spent up to 40 minutes without oxygen, but was saved by the superhuman effort of school first-aider Melanie Scott. Paramedics and doctors had to use a defibrillator to restart Ruby's heart. She spent 10 days on a ventilator at Great Ormond Street Hospital and has fought back against the very bleakest prognosis. Although Ruby survived, she sustained a life-changing brain injury and is currently working hard to relearn all the skills she once took for granted. Ruby lost her ability to speak, eat, walk and smile. Gradually she has been able to show us that she is still the same little girl who is fighting her way back to us.

Where is Ruby now?

With the help of friends all over the world, Ruby moved to the US in April 2011 where she spent a year. Her healthcare was managed by the famous Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. From November Ruby participated in a full-time tailor-made rehab programme at HMS School, which has an international reputation for personalised, technology-led therapy in a supportive educational setting.

In May 2012 Ruby returned to her home in London and has enjoyed an exciting summer – including The Olympic & Paralympic Games, an adapted canal boat holiday and two camping trips.

In September Ruby made the incredibly brave and important step of returning to the site of her collapse – her school at Golden Lane Campus in London. Ruby now attends Richard Cloudsley School on campus, but will also spend time in her former school with her old friends, teachers and support staff.