I was 22 when I was diagnosed with heart failure.

Waking up in the middle of the night without the ability to take a breath was one of the scariest moments of my life until I got to the hospital and heard the words, "You have a weak heart." What does that even mean? That I need to work it out. That it needs energy. All I could think about was that I was fine one second and now I'm here with a major organ failure. 

5 years. 10 years. No research on long term effects of continued medication use. Pamphlets with older people. All things I kept seeing, reading and hearing. Would I even survive long enough to do what I thought God intended for my life. I didn't know. 

But I'm here. Four years later and my heart is functioning at normal levels. Four years later and I'm achieving my dreams of continuing my education. Four years later and I'm in love with my job. Four years later and I'm thriving. Thanks to God and to the doctors that He put in my path. 

I'm walking because people deserve a chance to live. Even with heart conditions.