Grandson
I had not heard of or known many children with heart defects until this past April. The ones I did know of were heart murmurs, none with exotic names like “hypoplastic left heart syndrome”, “tetralogy of Fallot”, “ transposition of the great arteries” and the list goes on and on. My grandson, Derrick Carter, born April 20, 2009, was diagnosed with “hypoplastic left heart syndrome”. When I first heard his diagnosis in January before he was born, I had no idea what it was, how it was treated or a prognosis.
I have read many heartbreaking stories through “CarePages” and “CaringBridge” of children that suffer with severe heart defects like Derrick’s. Most of these children endure numerous surgeries and many have long hospital stays. Some do not survive.
Until Derrick was born, I did not know that heart disease is the most common childhood defect and affects one in one hundred children. Much more education and awareness is needed for the general public. More money is needed for research and an eventual cure so these children can have a bright and normal future.
Marlene McCormack