Blog
-
Sometimes Congenital Heart Disease Isn’t #1 – And That’s OK
CHD can occupy much of our lives, in times of crisis or through efforts to make a difference in the community. But sometimes it needs to take a backseat. This week, Jess Chenevert, our Marketing Director and mom to Heart Warrior Barrett, shares how CHD is just one part of our lives and that, at…
-
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…
-
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!
-
Becoming a Mom with CHD
Growing up to have a family of their own is the dream of many little girls, but when you have CHD, pregnancy can be a great risk. Still many patients can safely and successfully carry a baby. This week, Conquering CHD spoke to Melissa Lewis, she shares with us her journey to the birth of…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Summer Fun – the July Reboot
We’re nearing the end of July, but our days in the sun are not over yet! Check out this Summer Fun blog reboot for tips on staying cool and stories about the adventures of CHD kiddos, teens, and adults.
-
Teaching the ABCs of CHD to Your Child
For those with CHD falling out of care is a very common problem, which can lead to critical emergency situations. A whopping 61% of children with CHD will stop seeing their cardiologist by the time they are 18, and just 10% of adults with CHD are getting the appropriate cardiac care. In this week’s blog,…