I was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome 20 weeks before I was born. This basically means the left side of my heart didn’t form properly. So there were specialists standing by at my delivery, ready to take me to Children’s Hospital where I would have the a series of three surgeries on my heart over the years.

My first heart surgery was performed when I was one week old. I spent the next three weeks in Intensive Care with my parents by my side. I had my second surgery about 5 months later and my third a month after turning two years old. I’m currently very active and enjoy doing all the things most other kids my age do. My most recent procedure was a heart catheterization in June of 2007. I continue to see a cardiologist twice a year and take a baby asparin once a day.

I’m very excited to be able to share my story with others. In January 2008, my story was featured in a publication to raise funds for a new cardiovascular center for Children’s Hospital. Read more

This wasn’t the first time I was able to give something back to Children’s Hospital. Mom and I were featured on the cover of the October 2004 issue of Children’s Magazine, a publication of Children’s Hospitals and Clinics. The cover-story is about the amazing surgical work the hospital has pioneered to save the lives of those born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome . The article examines the progress of the first child to undergo these procedures at Children’s (19-years old in 2004) and one of the more recent — me. Read the article (PDF)

On September 20, 2005, my story was included in a special section of the Star Tribune newspaper. “Helping Little Heroes” focused on the amazing work of Children’s Hospitals. A portion of the proceeds of the paper that day went directly to Children’s. I owe everything to the incredible doctors and caring staff of Children’s, please support their important work. Read the article (PDF)

I am alive today thanks to the efforts of organizations like the American Heart Association and those of the skilled medical professionals at the Minneapolis Children’s Hospital. Team Matilda was formed to help support their important work.