Meet Brody. This two-year old Heart Hero is from Panama City, Florida and has a CHD diagnosis of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and Endocardial Fibroelastosis, which is the thickening of the muscular lining of the heart chambers. Brody has had the Norwood Procedure (first stage of three open-heart surgeries to repair HLHS) in 2012. He underwent the Glenn (2nd stage) in 2013 and is looking at having the Fontan sometime during 2015. He has also had three heart catheterizations, one of which saved Brody’s life by freeing a blood clot.
For Brody’s family, a Heart Hero is someone so brave, that has overcome so much in such a short period of time, even though they have a heart concern, they have a bigger heart than anyone could ever imagine. A Heart Hero is someone who pushes through and shows everyone unbelievable strength when the world expects you to give up.
Brody has a huge heart and even at age two, he shares very well. He is brave and rarely ever shy. He just puts himself out there to play with and talk to anyone. Brody has already overcome two open-heart surgeries and he KNOWS nothing can hold him back or hold him down! He has accomplished so much and he just has so much more to do, to see and to be apart of!
The Heart Hero Cape is a symbol of our little superheroes and just how amazing they are. When a Heart Hero has regular clothes on sometimes you can’t even tell there is anything different about them and the cape reminds them (and everyone around them) just who the true superheroes are among us. The strength they hold, and the battles they fight get them through challenges most can’t even imagine. They are true heroes!
Because Brody has had multiple surgeries and faces more in the future, they don’t celebrate his “heartiversaries” (surgery dates) but instead dedicate themselves to fundraising and raising awareness for CHD each year in February. They utilize their Facebook page to garner support from their followers and to raise money for CHD research. Brody’s mom, Angi has been instrumental in getting CHD Awarness Week proclaimed by both the state of Florida and Panama City! She has fundraisers and awareness activities planned during the month- to check it out and follow Brody’s story on Facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/BrodyBornAHeartHero.