Meet Jaidyn
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Child's Diagnosis: Shone’s Complex, ASD, VSD, Pulmonary Hypertension
Has Kerrington’s Heart impacted your journey? If so, how?:
Kerrington’s Heart has absolutely impacted our heart journey! Not only has the organization brought comfort to Jaidyn through numerous acts of kindness to make her feel extra special, but has also brought comfort to me individually as her mother. Kerrington’s Heart offers a community of people who have been in the same shoes as you and can tremendously help you get through these tough walks of life. I’ve been able to confide in other heart moms since the day Jaidyn was diagnosed while Jaidyn has been able to connect and befriend other kids with CHD. She’ll never have to feel like she’s alone because she knows there’s a whole community of kids like her that know her and love her - and she will always serve as a safe haven for them, as well.
What’s one thing you wish you’d been told at the beginning of your journey?:
One thing I wish I had been told at the beginning of our heart journey is to trust the resilience of your heart warrior. Becoming a heart parent is the most terrifying experience because you have no idea what to expect or what the future holds for your child. However, there’s no one more fierce than a heart warrior and these kiddos are here to make a massive stamp on this world. Their resilience is simply amazing and end up having enough strength to lift the entire family up in the process. As much as we strive to be there for them to keep them strong, they keep us strong too.
What’s one word you would use to describe your journey and why?:
One word to describe this journey is empowering. There’s nothing that will leave you feeling more amazed than watching your child conquer numerous open heart surgeries, procedures, pokes, scans, clinic visits, and everything else that comes with battling CHD. Although it gets extremely difficult at times, they look their condition in the face and are ready to take on whatever’s next in their journey. It will make you realize just how powerful your child is, along with how blessed you are to be their parent and be on this journey with them.
Please share a little bit about your story:
Jaidyn was diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease at 2 months old. Her heart defects consist of Shone’s Complex characterized by mitral stenosis, aortic stenosis, bicuspid aortic valve, and coarctation of the aortic arch. Additionally, she was born with a VSD, ASD, and Pulmonary Hypertension. Once diagnosed, she was immediately admitted to PCICU and underwent her first open heart surgery in July of 2019. She had her second open heart surgery in September of 2020 to remove subaortic membranous tissue in her left ventricle. In October of 2021, she underwent her 3rd open heart surgery to replace her mitral valve with a mechanical valve. In the same week she conquered her 4th heart surgery in which she had her pacemaker implanted. She is now 100% pacemaker dependent and thriving with a brand new valve.
