Amy shares her son’s journey with congenital heart disease. She talks about when her son was first diagnosed during a fetal ultrasound, and the conflicting advice she received from the physicians. She shares the story of her son’s birth. She talks about her son's 6-week hospital stay after his first heart surgery. Amy then talks about how she had t…

Margaret started her congenital heart disease journey when her daughter was first diagnosed with CHD. Since then she co-founded an organization that delivers superhero capes to children around the world who have CHD. Plus, she organizes Superhero Heart Runs in cities throughout the United States. Here are just a few things that Margaret talks about…

Brandi shares the story of her two children. She talks about when her daughter was first diagnosed with congenital heart disease and her stay in the hospital with her for 6 months after she was born. She talks about their time in the hospital, along with the challenges she faced when her daughter came home. Brandi also talks about her daughter’s ch…

Jodi shares her story about her teenage son who was born with congenital heart disease. Jodi shares her experience about when her son was first diagnosed with CHD. She talks about the delivery and the first two heart surgeries. Jodi talks about the overwhelming stress that she experienced leading up to her son's Fontan heart surgery. Moreover, she …

On this episode of the podcast, Kristine talks about her journey with her son who has CHD and how this has inspired her to become an organizer of the Super Hero Heart Run in Virginia. Kristine talks about her pregnancy and when the doctors first told her that her son's heart was not forming correctly. She shares the challenges she faced when her so…

On this podcast, Kelli talks about how after both of her children were born that they both spent time in the NICU. Kelli shares how when her son was born he was hospitalized in the NICU for about 4 months. She talks about her and her son's experiences in the NICU. She talks about the challenges she overcame being a first-time mom with a child in th…

Amanda and Patrick talk about their son who has been through two heart surgeries and a heart transplant. They talk about their son being born and how they were unaware that he had congenital heart disease. They talk about the first 24 hours in the hospital and then how their son coded while being transported to UVA. In addition, they talk about the…

Kelley talks about her son, Mason, who was first diagnosed with cancer at age 5 and how his passing at age 11 inspires her to help other families and children in the hospital. She talks about her son's experience with cancer along with what inspired her to start Mason's Toybox. She shares how her non-profit organization delivers toys to children in…

On this podcast, Alyssa shares her story of having 2 biological children and then adopting 6 other children. Alyssa shares the frightening story of when her first biological son coded after he was born and then experienced seizures. She also shares the story of her daughter’s birth at 27 weeks and their long stay in the NICU. She then talks about h…

On this episode of the podcast, Kelly shares her story and why she is so passionate about helping other families, fundraising, and doing anything she can to spread awareness about congenital heart disease! Kelly discusses the infertility issues she and her husband experienced prior to having their first son. She talks about becoming pregnant with F…

Tara shares her story about her daughter who has hypoplastic left heart syndrome. She talks about her pregnancy, when her she first learned that her daughter was going to have congenital heart disease, and the moments leading up to her daughter's birth. She discusses her stress level during her daughter's first heart surgery, and about her daughter…

Jolene talks about her journey with her son and how she discovered how his surgeries and hospital stays early in life affected his long-term development, causing trauma and PTSD. She shares the trauma her son experienced after birth, involving flights to two different hospitals in two different states for surgery. She talks about her son's experien…

On this podcast episode, Kayla shares her story about her daughter: born at 25 weeks in her pregnancy, her long 6 months stay in the hospital, being away from her family, and how her daughter has overcome all the odds and is now thriving and at the head of her class. On the podcast, Kayla shares the details of her inspirational story, such as: Kayl…

46: Melody Nutall- Anencephaly and Making The Most Out of Life To Help Other Children and Families. On this podcast, episode Melody shares her story about her daughter Lailah Joy Heaven who was born with Anencephaly. She talks about when she first learned about her daughter's condition during the pregnancy. She describes in great detail the birth o…

On this week's podcast, Meagan Nash talks about her son, who has down syndrome and how both of them are changing people's perception in regards to children with special needs. Meagan talks about her pregnancy and when her son was first diagnosed with down syndrome. She talks about her delivery and her hospital stay. Plus, she talks about some of th…

On this podcast, Kathy talks about her son who has Cri du Chat Syndrome. Kathy talks about her pregnancy and how there were symptoms and risks during her pregnancy. She describes her son’s birth and his noticeable "cat-like cry". She talks about the challenges of her child's hospital stay. Kathy discusses the challenges of parenting her 3-year-old …

On this podcast, Celeste shares her story of how her daughter was diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease (“CHD”) at the age of 3. She talks about the events that led up to her daughter being diagnosed with CHD. Celeste then describes how within a week of being diagnosed her daughter had heart surgery. She talks about her daughter's heart surgery a…

On this podcast, Ellen Stumbo shares the story of her two daughters - one child who has Down Syndrome, and an adopted child who has cerebral palsy. Ellen talks about her daughter and how cerebral palsy has affected her. She discusses her daughter’s biggest challenge with cerebral palsy - the emotional and relational aspect of interacting with her p…

Kristie shares her journey and how she has overcome so many challenges living with a rare form of congenital heart disease known as Shone's Complex. Kristie shares: How she only had a 5% chance of surviving after her first heart surgery at several days old. Plus, she talks about going through her second heart surgery at 2 and half years old. She sh…

On this podcast, Dana shares her story about growing up with Tetralogy of Fallot and how all 3 of her children have congenital heart disease. She talks about growing up with CHD, her surgeries, and her experiences at the hospitals. Plus, she describes the conditions of each of her children's heart disease. She shares how having CHD has helped her u…

In this episode, Allyson Drake talks about helping parents and children through the grief process after losing a child or loved one. Alyson shares: What led her to starting her organization Full Circle Grief. What the 4 tasks of grief are that everyone must work through after losing a loved one or a child. Plus, Allyson talks in depth about how eac…

On this episode of the podcast, Jenny Samuels shares her story about her son who has Type 1 Diabetes. Jenny talks about her son, his initial stay in the hospital, and how his he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. She talks about her daily routine with her son and how diabetes has impacted the family. Plus, she gives a thorough explanation of dia…

Amy shares her journey about what she does as a flight paramedic and how she transports children in critical condition via helicopter. She reveals the type of patients that she transports most often. She discusses some of the environmental challenges that can prevent the helicopter from taking off. She compares and contrasts transporting children v…

On this episode of the podcast Tammy shares her journey with CHD in regards to her son and how it led her to working with the Children's Heart Foundation. During this episode: Tammy shares her story about her 22-year-old son who has congenital heart disease. Tammy talks about when her son was first diagnosed with congenital heart disease and his fi…

This week on the podcast, Jennifer talks about losing her first child at 27 weeks in the pregnancy and then losing her second child to CHD. She talks about how the loss of her two children motivated her to help other families who have lost their child. Plus, she now educates parents about blood clots in CHD babies and children. On this podcast: Jen…

Amy shares her story about her son who was not diagnosed with CHD until after he was discharged from the hospital. She talks about his heart surgery and his time in the hospital. She also talks about caring for her son once he was home. She talks about the potential future heart procedures that her son may need. Further, she discusses how finding a…

Dr. Thomas L'Ecuyer talks about how he helps children who need a heart transplant. He describes the entire heart transplant process from initially evaluating the child, through the child's heart transplant, and then caring for the child after the transplant. Dr. L'Ecuyer talks about what inspired him to become a pediatric cardiologist. He also disc…

This week on the podcast we chat with Monica Rodgers, an adult who was born with congenital heart disease. Monica talks about first being diagnosed with congenital heart disease as a child, her first heart surgery, and what she remembers about her hospital stay. She talks about growing up with CHD and how it affected her, what her limitations were,…

In this episode on the podcast, Amy Fields talks about adopting two children with special needs. Here are some of the topics Amy discusses: She talks about what inspired her to adopt two children. How her son’s addiction at birth to methamphetamines affects him today. She talks about the types of therapy her son receives and how he manages in schoo…

Key talks about how her daughter was born during her 28th week of pregnancy. She talks about the challenges her daughter faced after she was born. She also talks about the stress of being in the NICU for 6 weeks. Key shares how she spent her time while in the NICU. She talks about how her experience as a nurse at UVA Hospital helped her while her d…

In this episode, Melody Johnson shares the story of her daughter’s kidney and liver transplant. Melody shares her daughter’s diagnosis with Polycystic Liver Disease at 6 months old, with a subsequent diagnosis of liver fibrosis at age 1. She talks about how kidney and liver failure led her daughter to have high blood pressure, and how it was necess…

In this episode, Dr. Sara Rasmussen talks about her job as a pediatric surgeon and why she is so driven to make a huge impact on so many children and their family's lives. Dr. Rasmussen shares: What inspired her to become a pediatric surgeon. How she spends her time each day. UVA recently partnered with the University of Pittsburgh Children's Hospi…

Dr. Dunsmore treats children for any type of disease that has to do with the blood or any type of cancer Dr. Dunsmore shares that between 10,000 and 12,000 children will be diagnosed with cancer each year. This represents an increase in diagnosis rates since tracking first began, but survival rates have increased as well. According to Dr. Dunsmore …

Annie talks about finding out that her unborn daughter was going to have congenital heart disease while her and her family were living in Iceland. She talks about having to return home after learning about her daughter's heart defect. Also, She talks about her emotions after learning about the heart defect. Annie talks about how her daughter had su…

Rebecca shares her story about her daughter who has Dilated Cardiomyopathy. She talks about how her daughter's heart disease was not discovered until she was four months old. Plus, Rebecca talks about her journey in the hospital and having her daughter placed on the heart transplant list. Rebecca shares her experience of having her daughter on the …

Dr. Rebecca Scharf is a developmental pediatrician at the University of Virginia Children's Hospital. She talks about the 3 aspects of how she helps children with medical complexities such as critical care, education, and research. Discusses the 4 different clinics that she oversees that help children. How a family friend who was a doctor in the Co…

Molly talks about her son and when he was first diagnosed with autism. How their son's diagnoses affected her and her husband. She reveals some of the symptoms that that her son displayed prior to being officially diagnosed with autism. Plus, she talks about the actual appointment and how the doctor diagnosed her son with Autism. How her daughters …

Annaleci shares her story about growing up with congenital heart disease known as Truncus Arterious Type 2 and how it has affected her over the years. She discusses her parents and how they have helped her throughout her life. She shares how she beat the odds of surviving her first heart surgery. Annaleci describes her first two heart surgeries in …

Lauren shares her story and her perspective as an adult who has lived with congenital heart disease her entire life. Lauren talks about: How after she was born she was first diagnosed with congenital heart disease. Lauren talks about her first surgery. How growing up with congenital heart disease affected her in school, activities and sports, and s…

Danielle shares her story about her son who has spastic cerebral palsy. Danielle talks about being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Graves’Disease. She shares how Graves’ Disease led to a thyroid storm and how the thyroid storm affected her. When Danielle was 32 weeks pregnant the ultrasound showed that something was different, but docto…

Dr. Norwood, a developmental pediatrician, focuses on helping children who either have serious ongoing medical challenges or at some point in the child's life has faced a serious medical challenge. Some of the topics that Dr. Norwood discusses are: Why he became a developmental pediatrician What the difference is between a pediatrician and a develo…

In this episode Brooke shares her story about her son Miles who has Tetralogy of Fallot. Brooke talks about: How she first discovered Miles was going to have a congenital heart defect. The challenges of diagnosing the heart condition and then delivering Miles. Plus, Brooke talks about the events leading up to Miles' first heart surgery. Brooke also…

In this episode on the podcast, Meghan Wagoner, who is a NICU nurse talks about caring for newborn babies in critical condition that are in the neonatal intensive care unit. She talks about: -Why she became a nurse. -The training involved in care for babies in the NICU. -The difference between the care of a Level 1 to a Level 4 NICU. -How her carin…

In this episode Catherine talks about her daughter's journey with congenital heart disease. She talks about when she first found out about her daughter's heart condition. How she chose a pediatric cardiologist to care for her daughter's heart. The challenges of her daughter being born pre-mature with congenital heart disease. The stress of the goin…

In this episode, Dr. Vergales, who is a pediatric cardiologists, talks about many different aspects of caring for children with single ventricles. In addition, he goes into great depth about caring for children with single ventricles in between the first the first two heart surgeries that most single ventricle children experience. In this interview…

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so in this week's podcast Lee shares his story about his son, who at 3 years old, was diagnosed with one of the rarest types of cancer. Lee talks about: -His son being diagnosed with one of the rarest forms of cancer. -The challenges of being in the hospital for 6 weeks. -How his son is doing today. -H…

In part 2 of Laura Carpenter's interview she talks about: -How children process stress through play -Children and their resilience -CHD the lack of awareness of local pediatricians and pediatric emergency rooms. -Ways to be prepared if your child has to go to the ER. -What is CHD awareness and how do inform people about it so more people are aware …

In part 1 of Laura Carpenter's interview, she talks about her experience with her child, who had one of the rarest forms of congenital heart disease called truncus arteriosus, plus why she is so determined to help other families who have children with congenital heart disease. Here are some of the topics Laura talks about: *Laura shares about when …

In this episode Dr. Swanson, a neonatal intensive care doctor (NICU) at University of Virginia Children's Hospital talks about: -What inspired him to become a neonatologist. -Shares specific types of training NICU doctors need to care for a wide variety of children born with complex medical conditions. -Why the child and parents benefit, if the par…

In this episode Shannan Pearsall shares her story about her son who has congenital heart disease. One thing to pay attention to is Shannan's gratitude throughout this interview. During this interview Shannan talks about: * When she first found out about her child's heart condition in utero. * How she and her husband formed a "game plan" once they f…