Every month, we highlight a child so you can hear about the wonderful children that we help in our community. With Valentine's Day in mind, February also marks American Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease and heart defects. Meet one of our amazing children, Gracie.
Gracie was adopted as a newborn by her parents in 2015. Just hours after being born, a heart murmur was detected, and Gracie was airlifted to Valley Children's Hospital. There Gracie was further diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, Pulmonary Atresia, Ventricular Septal Defect and Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries. This is a fancy way of saying she was born with serious heart defects. At 13 days old she underwent surgical repair in one long 16 hour surgery. She was finally able to come home after two months.
While various doctors, and therapists have become an integral part of our lives, Gracie is living life and thriving like any other pre schooler. Gracie also participates in Jack’s Helping Hand Little Swimmers program where she gets weekly therapeutic swim sessions. She loves swimming and even does a little happy dance every time she gets near the pool.
"Given everything she’s been through she has an amazing outlook on everything and is one of the happiest kids. During this time we have been truly blessed to work with Jack’s Helping Hand. From the Bottom of our Hearts, Thank you!!"
-Genessa, Gracie's Mother.
