written by Heart Hero Yana

My CHD story is a little out of the norm. You see, I was born in Siberia, to a poor family in a poor area. My certificates say that I was born with CHD, in Siberia, that means you’re considered an invalid. I know I had surgery to correct it, otherwise I’m not sure I would be alive today. I also have a very faint scar. I was adopted onto my current family when I was eighteen months old. I was severely malnourished and sick. My parents took me to a doctor in the states, where they found the true diagnosis: mitral valve prolapse, arrhythmia, palpitations, autonomic dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, and atrial septic defect.  My whole life I have lived with these defects and I have lived with CHD. I knew nothing else for the longest time. Then school came around, and I started realizing I was different. I was an avid dancer, cheerleader, and soccer player. I’d pass out if I ran too much too fast, I would overheat, feel dizzy, and feel very nauseated. Kids at school made fun of me and bullied me for being different. There were things I couldn’t do; I didn’t let that stop me. I worked extra hard in my sports, training up to forty hours a week in addition to school. Pageants, Dance, cheer, and soccer were where I felt I belonged. Dance allowed me to express myself. I was an extremely shy child, but dance allowed me to let out my real feeling and emotions that I hid. Cheer allowed me to learn cool things, and they actually loved my body size for what it was. Turns out small people are needed. Soccer was my favorite, it gave me a purpose. I don’t know why, but it did. I felt one with myself when I played soccer, it kept me happy. When I was about ten years old, I was told that I needed to stop playing soccer, stop dance, and stop cheer. I was told that my heart and nerves couldn’t keep up, and that the sports could end up killing me, I was devastated. A short time later, out of nowhere, a cape showed up at my doorstep. I didn’t know who sent it or where it came from. I had heard about these capes, and thought that perhaps my CHD wasn’t as severe; therefore not deserving of the cape. Someone thought otherwise. I was genuinely overjoyed with the cape, and it inspired me to not sit by and watch life happen, I’m here to live it and make the best of it. The cape inspired me to stay strong and find value in the things I could do and be a role model for others with who fight CHD. 

As I got older, it turned out that with treatment and constant observation, I was able to continue some sports. The cape is always by my side. Every dance and cheer competition, every soccer game and tournament; that cape was taken. The Heart Hero Cape that I have is a symbol of my perseverance and resilience. This cape has showed me that I can do anything. The cape is my life saver; it is my hero.

Now that I am older, my heart situation has gotten slightly better and is stable. I’m taking care of myself by eating healthy, exercising regularly, and always seeing my doctors and specialists. I have been allowed to pursue my dream of becoming a collegiate athlete. I am an athlete at my University, Maryville University St. Louis. I’m on the STUNT team, essentially cheer-leading but harder. I would not be where I am today without my cape, my supporters, and friends and family. The Heart Hero Cape did more for me that anyone will ever truly know. It also inspired me to start a local charity. I support the American Heart Association, I help with the St.Louis Heart Walk every year and have my own little group called “Heart Warriors”. I have raised so much money for kids with CHD to go towards their life saving operations, their holiday celebrations, and their family. All because someone gave me a cape, and that cape called me to give back to those who suffer much more than I do. There are warriors fighting battles no one knows about, and they are Heart Warriors through and through. Every moment we have on this earth is precious, therefore we must make the most of every little moment. My pageants allow me to grow in self confidence and embrace my flaws. Without pageants, I would not be as well spoken, poised, or confident as I am now. I’m honored to say that I am the reigning USA National Miss Missouri! I represent my state with pride, and my platform is Heart Heroes and Heart Warriors Unite and Healthy Heart, Happy Heart! With my platform, I hope to spread healthy living styles to all children, especially those with CHD. I also hope to raise money for kids who are in need of life saving treatment as well as give them a happy and joyous childhood. I hope to inspire people of all ages to take their heart health seriously, as well as learn to love their heart just the way it is…for without a little heart, this world would be sad and dark. I can’t wait to see where my title and my journey takes me. I’m excited to continue fundraising for such deserving children and I cannot wait to start making an even bigger difference in my community.