Blog
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CHD BEAT: Elevating the Family Voice – Rita Higgins, RN
We often share stories and features from patients and parents of children with CHD, but there is more to the CHD community. In this edition of our CHD Beat highlight series, we introduce you to Rita Higgins, a Registered Nurse and parent of a young adult with CHD, who shares how her daughter’s CHD journey…
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An Open Letter to Our Village
They say it takes a village. It sounds cliché, but it is true. As an adult with CHD, I see that the need for support, for that village, for your people to rally around you – in crisis, in celebration, in life – does not end once you’re “grown up”. Beyond our parents, our extended…
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Back to School Blog Wrap-Up
September is in full swing and school is, once again, back in session. Our Back-to-School Blogs may continue to come in handy as the year continues. The August series is has been collected here if you missed it!
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Congenital Heart Disease vs Congenital Heart Defect
CHD and CHD–both focus on struggles with the heart, but where do these terms differ? The human heart plays an essential role in maintaining the health of our bodies, but not all hearts work the same way. Heart conditions can have a huge impact on the body, but many people are still completely unaware of…
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What is the Most Common Cyanotic Congenital Heart Defect?
Cyanotic congenital heart defects differ from one case to the next–but what is considered to be the most common? A cyanotic congenital heart defect can have a significant impact on a person’s life and overall health. There are many different defects that fall under this category, but they can show up at different rates. In…
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Fitting in with Your Peers When You Have Congenital Heart Disease
Going back to school is about more than liking our classes or keeping up academically. It’s about more than our safety in the classroom. We want to make friends. We want to be liked. We want to fit in. In this week’s blog, Peyton, a high school junior, talks about finding your people when you’re a…
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CHD BEAT: Mental Health Support is Necessary Part of CHD Care – Dr. Erica Sood
We often share stories and features from patients and parents of children with CHD, but there is more to the CHD community. In this edition of our CHD Beat highlight series, we introduce you to Dr. Erica Sood, a cardiac psychologist in Delaware, who shares how she got started in medicine, how she connects to…
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An Open Letter to Phys. Ed. Teachers from a Student with CHD
Going back to school also means going back to gym class. For those with CHD, it can be an added stressor, especially if we are unsure just how much our teachers know about our condition, our abilities, and our potential physical limitations. This week, Gloria, a high school senior with HLHS, shares an open letter…
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Are You a Teen with CHD Heading off to College? 10 Tips from CHDers Who’ve Done It
For many, going off to college is the first major step toward independence. It could mean leaving home for the first time, living in a new city where you don’t know anyone, or starting a whole new life. Add a chronic illness into the mix, like CHD, and it can get tricky. Check out these 10…
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How to Prepare for Starting School with CHD
As the final weeks of Summer approach, there are school supplies to buy, carpools to arrange, and new routines to begin. For families of those with CHD, there may be additional preparation to ensure their student is able to reach their full potential. In this week’s blog, educator and Heart Mom, Tamara Jazwinski, discusses the…