For many forms of CHD, surgery is not a cure. Congenital heart disease is a lifelong condition requiring specialized care, and often additional surgeries and medications are needed later in life. From the CDC: As medical care and treatment have improved, babies and children with CHDs are living longer and healthier lives. Most are now […]
Did you know that approximately half of all infants born with Down syndrome have a heart defect? Many congenital heart defects have no signs or symptoms. Sometimes a doctor can hear a slight murmur in an infant, sometimes they can’t. But that doesn’t always mean it’s a heart defect, and usually, murmurs go away as […]
Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defects in the United States, affecting approximately 1 in every 110 (about 40,000) babies each year. However, early screening is key to an infant’s survival. We were fortunate because we detected Jacob’s heart condition when I was four months pregnant. According to Dr. Matthew Davis, Chief […]
Hi, I’m Marla! Remember me? LOL! I know it has been a while…I have been busy, let’s just start there! 2017 was a whirlwind year of accomplishing great things, meeting amazing people and doing what I love – advocacy and inspiring others. 2017 in a quick minute: March 2017 – I was accepted to be […]
It’s February and if you are a Mom of a “Heart Hero” you know how important this month is to us. February 7-14 every year, the world celebrates our precious ones with congenital heart defects (CHD). For the next five days, I will share with you my heart hero, my son Jacob! Jacob was born […]
As 2017 comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect back to all the great things I was able to do, the amazing people I met and how I was able to inspire others. I say “INSPIRE” because that was my word for 2017, and I feel really good that I […]
As you all know October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and what a month it was. From celebrating amazing individuals like my son who are rocking an extra 21st chromosome to advocating for their rights with the National Down Syndrome Society at the first Leadership Summit with over 150 self-advocates like David DeSanctis, actor from […]