CHD Patient Stories
Every 15 minutes, a child is born with a congenital heart defect. But that’s only the beginning of their story. Advancements in CHD care mean that these kids can live and thrive with just a little help.
Every year, UVA Health Children’s provides care for many children affected by CHD. Some are first diagnosed here by fetal echo. Some discover their child’s CHD at birth, during a newborn screening. And still others don’t find out until their child is older.
Every family’s path to diagnosis is different. And so are their roads to recovery and healing.
Many families had no idea that CHD affected so many kids. And once their child is diagnosed, it can feel like a whirlwind of information. But in the middle of that, connecting with other CHD families offers community as well as hope.
We love sharing the stories of these families.
As sonographers on the CHD care team say, “We love to be a part of the team and the patient’s overall success story. As patients and families come in for follow-up visits, we get to see these kids overcome CHD, to run around, and thrive like normal kids.”
It’s in these stories that many families are able to find hope through a challenging diagnosis.
We’re honored so many of our patients have come back to share their stories.
Olivia's complete heart block means she needs follow-up surgery every few years. This process is never easy. Her mom shares their journey.
Olivia was born with complete heart block, a congenital condition that required a pacemaker. 13 years later, Olivia's thriving.
After her baby, Lainey, underwent treatment for two congenital heart defects at UVA Health Children's, Ashley Havens shared her story with us. Read how Lainey is doing now.
Congenital heart disease is the most common type of birth defect. But the Stifflers had no reason to think that it would affect two of their kids.
At just over one month old and weighing only six pounds, Sammy was the smallest patient ever to undergo a rare and complex heart surgery.
Pediatric heart experts used a unique treatment to save Violet's life. Watch the video to learn more about Violet's journey to UVA.
When Christy Davis was 20 weeks pregnant, she and her husband went to her ultrasound, full of anticipation like any expectant parents.
Recreation therapist Laurie Sewell sits cross-legged on the floor of a UVA hospital conference room. She’s demonstrating infant massage techniques on a doll while 2-year-old Haley Poore watches her and plays with a colorful toddler toy. [caption id="attachment_3742" align="alignright" width="300"] Recreational therapist Laurie Sewell (right) and Mended Little Hearts volunteer…
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