Do you know my story?  So many do, I don't know who doesn't anymore!

For those who don't know, when I just turned 1, my primary doctor looked at my parents at my well baby check and said the words that would change our lives - "I think I hear a murmur".  After some testing, it was found that I essentially had a hole in my heart (AV Transitional Canal).  I had my first open heart surgery shortly after my birthday!  During that surgery, it was also found that I had a cleft mitral valve. 

Since my first surgery, I've had 2 more to correct subaortic stenosis at the ages of 3 and 11.  I was good with yearly appointments until...  

2024 was the year that things changed again!  In June, I was diagnosed with SVT (my heart would start beating fast for no real reason) where at one point I was at 220 beats per minute – SCARY!  I'm now on medication for it and it is now under control. 

In July, I had a stroke of the eye.  I had a tiny blood clot go to my left retina which caused me to go blind in that eye.  I was in the hospital for 3 days trying to figure out where the blood clot came from and hearing "this just doesn't happen to kids your age".  It was decided the clot came from my heart and now on a daily aspirin for the rest of my life.

This is the life of a Heart kiddo!  Appointments do not stop just because you’ve had surgery.  You are not ‘fixed’ but ‘repaired’ and many times it’s only "repaired for now".  We've also learned that other problems may come up.  I was lucky with my stroke of the eye that the blood clot didn’t go somewhere else like my lung or my brain, however, hearing “this doesn’t happen to kids your age” just proved more research is needed because it DID happen to ME at the age of 18!

I have family members who also have their tickers under constant supervision.  My Grandpa, Larry, my G-Pa, Chuck, and my Grandpa, Doug, all have had heart issues requiring surgeries.  Currently, Chuck is an LVAD patient and has something to help pump his heart!!

My family and I have been walking and raising money for the American Heart Association to support research in all the ways that can help me, my family and those like us!!  We have come so far – especially with those born with heart defects.  We are living longer and more productive lives because of research supported by donors like you!

Have a heart and help me reach my goal today!!