It’s the flicker of a heartbeat on that first sonogram, showing a healthy baby is growing inside you.
Later, it’s the 20-week scan, relieving fears and worries, when baby’s heart is shown to be strong and developing properly.
Throughout, pregnancy and after birth, we moms know a healthy heart is crucial for our baby’s survival. We take every test and scan, and hope and pray all will be OK.
Creating a healthy baby is a miracle of human creation, and for those of us, who had babies with no medical challenges, we can only imagine the hurt and heartache endured by parents whose babies need extra care.
During my time as a blogger, I have met several extraordinary writers, who have faced the difficult news of learning their child has a birth defect.
Mia Carella is one such mom.
Her daughter, Evalyn was born with a congenital heart defect, which meant she had to go through several surgeries from the time she was just an infant. Her difficult start also caused some developmental delays, meaning Mia would be a special needs mom, a role, which she has embraced with grace and strength.
Through Mia’s incredible writing, I have gotten to know Evalyn. I have learned about her amazing courage, her unwavering joy and the pride she brings her parents.
She is truly special.
A few years ago, I was lucky enough to be able to meet Evalyn during a get-together with Mia and our kids.
We spent time at a playground, where I got to see how Evalyn handles things a bit differently than her brother and my two boys. She needed a little extra help, but that never stopped her from trying or made her feel discouraged. All the while, she always had the biggest smile.
This month, in honor of Evalyn, and the thousands have children and families impacted by congenital heart defects, Blogging For Better will be highlighting the fantastic work of Mended Little Hearts Boston.
As part of the national Mended Little Hearts nonprofit organization, Mended Little Hearts provides support, educational programs, advocacy, and more to CHD patients at Boston Children’s hospitals and their families.
Through such efforts as accredited visitation from volunteers who have experienced the effects of CHD firsthand, to storage facilities for out-of-town families, to special “bravery bags” filled with essentials to help ease the emotional and physical difficulty of hospital visits for CHD families.
With 40,000 babies born with a congenital heart defect, in the United States alone, chances are, like me, you know a family who has been impacted by CHD.
By giving to Mended Little Hearts Boston, you can help CHD families get the support they need to best care for their children.
To learn more about what it means to be a CHD parent, and to follow Evalyn’s journey, I encourage you to like Mia’s Facebook page, Mia Carella, Writer.