This Heart Hero is Justin and he is from Springfield, Pennsylvania. Justin is seven years old and was born with Bicuspid Aortic Valve. The aortic valve only had two valves (rather than three). This condition caused aortic valve stenosis (the aortic valve does not open fully) and aortic insufficiency (aortic valve not closing tightly). Justin had a cardiac catheterization procedure is October of 2007 and underwent an open-heart surgery called the Ross procedure in August 2014. Currently, Justin has mild aortic insufficiency.

Justin is a very active child. He loves any kind of sport, but his favorites are soccer, karate, and basketball. That helps to keep him physically active, and to keep his heart in the best shape that he can. Justin is optimistic and upbeat. He is always smiling, has a fantastic sense of humor, and likes to have fun. He is also tough and strong – even when things get difficult for him, he powers through with very little complaining. He spent a week in the hospital last summer, which is not easy for anyone, but he was up and walking around within 24 hours of coming out of heart surgery, at his request, and didn’t stop moving after that!

The Heart Hero Cape was a wonderful surprise that arrived in the mail not long after Justin came home from his surgery last summer. He loves superheroes, and has been told all of his life that he is a superhero! He was very excited to have his very own cape that represented his journey with CHD and was also excited that the cape was his favorite color (green!).

Justin’s mother, Denise, says, “Having a Heart Hero in our lives means being inspired by our son every day. It is overwhelming to see how much he inspires others as well! Having Justin in our lives is a constant reminder of how important it is to appreciate what we have, and not to worry about the small stuff.”

Justin and his family recognize his CHD by trying to bring awareness, as well as raising money for various organizations. His older brother’s school participates in Jump Rope for Heart every year, and the actively raise as much money as possible in that event, in honor of Justin and all Heart Heroes. In 2014, Denise participated in the World Heart Race for Mended Little Hearts, as well, and in the past the family has participated in 5K walks as part of a team for the Nemours Cardiac Center. They are now looking forward to participating in Heart Heroes events in the future as well.

Justin’s heartiversary for his first procedure is Halloween, so the family tends to focus on that day as fun for the whole family. We talk to him about it every year but don’t have a specific celebration for it. Justin is about six months from his Ross procedure, but the family is making some BIG plans to celebrate that incredible milestone.