Mending Hearts for Life

Welcome to Stroke of Insight where we feature real people, real stories, sharing their Stroke of Insight. Today we feature Nicole Busch from Central Illinois. Nicole and I met during the Mended Hearts National Capitol Hill Advocacy Day where we advocated on behalf of the Carol Act and the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act. She shares her story of being a stroke survivor, diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease, and the chronic issues she continues to have as she looks to obtain what optimal health is for her situation. Nicole also shares exclusively with us her inability to carry children due to her diagnosis, what the acceptance process of this was like for her, how that has impacted her life, and her suggestions as a licensed therapist on how to deal with grief and loss.

Today we feature Megan Washington from Orlando, Florida. Megan shares her story of being diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome in 2006 at just 21 years old. She talks about her time in the ER, hearing how scary this situation was, and what the future held for her heart care. We talk about signs and symptoms that were present years before being diagnosed, what her heart procedure was like, and how she is using her upcoming pageant to raise money for Congenital Heart Disease Research with the American Heart Association.

Today we feature Mike Hesselbirg from Long Island New York, who has a chilling story on how he lived 59 years before he found out he was born with Congenital Heart Disease. After a scary yet eye opening event, Mike shares with us what it was like during the onset and early moments of his stroke, what part Covid played in the quick response time to intervention, and describes in detail his journey the past 14 months.

Today we feature Lori Franke-Hopkins, a mother who lost her son Andrew at just 3 1/2 years old to CHD. Lori is a champion for so many teachers and administrators in education and continues to be an inspiration for all.  She speaks with us about her son Andrew, the angelic qualities that became apparent in hindsight, how her family helped her through this difficult time, and how her experience with loss led her to helping a former district through the loss of multiple school members. 

Today we spend time talking with Dena Hall. Dena is a wife, mother, educator and advocate. Her son, Warren, was born with Congenital Heart Disease. She talks with us from a parent's perspective on what it's like to notice signs something is not right with your infant, what hearing the words cardiac arrest meant to her, and how to be a sign of strength to not only your child needing care, but to your other children at home. Dena describes how to be strong during this process, what life is like now, and shares her Stroke of Insight on how to be honest with your emotions. Join Dena and her family's "Little Hearts Can Make a Big Change" fundraiser for UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh each April 7th through April 27th.

Today we feature Andrea Baer, the Executive Director of The Mended Hearts, Inc. Andrea talks to us about the organization, and how it works to support patients both during their hospital stay and life long support after being released. She shares with us the importance The Mended Hearts organization plays in CHD advocacy, her personal story of CHD, how you can get involved in the organization, and ways they are celebrating heart health month.

Today we spend time talking with Miss Illinois International 2022, Dr. Katie Stapleton. Katie is the pediatric resident physician at OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois and serves our CHD patient community. She talks with us about being a pediatrician and how she sees the affects CHD has on infants each day. We go in depth on what it’s like to be on the front lines of the healthcare system as she shares her Stroke of Insight on the CHD community at her hospital.

Today we spend time talking with Miss New Jersey International 2021 and second runner up Miss International 2021, Andrianna Acosta. She talks with us about being born with Congenital Heart Disease, the important role her mom played in her diagnosis, and shares her Stroke of Insight living with CHD.