Australian Story: July 18

If you know you could die at any moment, how do you live your life? Do you do nothing or everything?  Would you have children?

Tonight Australian Story tackles those questions. The episode is introduced by SKY News presenter, Jacinta Tynan (pictured).

Alisa Latto (36) and her brothers have lived with the spectre of death since birth. They share a rare genetic heart condition passed down by their mother, Rosemary. For them, life is lived on a knife edge, each day a privilege.

When her eldest brother succumbed to the condition two years ago, Alisa knew she had to “choose very   clearly. I was either going to do nothing or everything.”

Her own near-death experience galvanized Alisa to fulfill her dream of becoming a mother — even if it  meant breaking the law, going into debt, endangering her life and risking the relationship with her husband, Alastair.

“I wanted to know that I could have children without passing on the gene that causes Marfan. My brothers and I went for tests so doctors could learn more and then the dangers of the condition became very real to us,” says Alisa.

“I went to see my heart specialist and she said given my family history it was just playing with fire and if I was to carry my pregnancy there’d be a very good chance that I would die.

“But I never thought it was the end of the road. I just thought I had to get more creative in my way to have children,” she reflects.

Alisa’s quest led her to an American surrogate called Brandi, living in Orange County.

“I had never even really heard of surrogacy. I started researching it and it took me quite a long time to even be comfortable with understanding that somebody else might carry a baby for us … How does that work? Why would somebody do this for me?” say Alisa.

Alisa risked her life by going off her medicine to synchronise with Brandi’s cycle. Her ovaries were  stimulated. Flights were booked. The clock was ticking. Then destiny threw a curve ball. Would she make the flight?

It seems miraculous when Australian Story catches up with Alisa and Alistair at their twin boy’s first birthday party.

Guests include Alisa’s mother who never imagined she could be a grandmother; her younger brother who is alive thanks to Alisa’s medical investigations into Marfan; and Brandi who has become a special part of this modern family.

It airs at 8pm tonight on ABC1.