Parker was born in Texas in 2007. As her parents prepared to take her home from the hospital, the pediatrician told them they’d like to do an echocardiogram of Parker’s heart to follow-up on a heart murmur they had detected. Within hours, Parker’s parents learned that their newborn daughter had a very severe congenital heart defect. Parker was born with a very rare condition called Double Inlet Left Ventricle. She also had L-Transposition of the Great Arteries and holes in between her Atria and Ventricles – Atrial Septal Defects (ASD) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). Basically, when Parker’s heart formed, the left ventricle formed on the right side. The right ventricle didn’t form at all. And her aorta (which sends oxygenated blood to the body) was down in that “hypoplastic right ventricle.” In fact, a VSD in most kids would be a bad thing. In Parker’s case, it was the only thing keeping her alive. As her left ventricle squeezed, blood was able to travel through that large VSD and go out her aorta.

Over the next few years, Parker would undergo a number of procedures to repair her heart defects. At three weeks, Parker had a PA Band ­­open-heart surgery. At nine months, she had the Bi-Directional Glenn, after which a clot developed in her leg and she contracted a bladder infection. She has also had a bilateral uretal re-implantation (a surgery to change the angle that the tubes between her bladder and kidneys were placed) and an adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy. Parker underwent the Fontan surgery in September of 2011, which made all the difference in the world for her.

Parker’s life isn’t easy. She gets sick more often than other kids. And she can’t recover as quickly. She doesn’t tolerate much exercise, so it’s hard to keep up with friends. She has other medical issues like anxiety and migraines. But that girl has spunk and character like you can’t believe!! Parker’s parents work VERY hard with her to find activities that she loves and fit with her life. She is a serious music lover! She loves art and fashion design. She also rides horses. This is such a great activity for her. It helps with her anxiety, confidence, and the horses bring her endless joy!!

Parker’s parents don’t know what the future has in store for their Heart Hero. But what they do know is that she is loved unconditionally, followed by the best medical staff they could ask for, surrounded by a family that would drop everything to help her. She is a happy, spunky, sarcastic, smart, brave, hilarious girl and none of them could ask for anything more!