CHD Awareness Week 2017

There is an incredible amount of awareness and education surrounding adult heart disease, but very little about the number one birth defect or leading cause for birth-defect related deaths.

Did you know:

• Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) affects approximately 1.8 million families in the United States
• CHDs are the most common birth defect and the leading cause of birth-defect related deaths worldwide
• Nearly twice as many children die from CHDs as from all childhood cancers combined, yet research for cancer receives five times the funding
• There are currently 35 distinct CHDs recognized
• There is no known cause for CHDs and there is no cure. Only treatment, such as medicines, numerous surgeries and heart transplants.
• Each year an estimated 1 in 100 babies are born in the United States with a congenital heart defect
• 1 in 10 of those are born with a fatal defect

My daughter, Allison Grace, was one of these statistics. Allison was born on April 29, 2002, with several complex heart defects. Prior to her diagnosis in utero, I could not even tell you what CHD stood for. Allison spent 32 days in the NICU before we were able to bring her home to meet her brother and sister. Our next few months were filled with doctor visits, echocardiograms, medicines, and a heart cauterization. 

On August 9, 2002, Matt and I kissed Allison and handed her over to the nurse for what was to be her first of several open heart surgeries. This was the last time we held our daughter alive. On August 13, at only 101 days old, Allison earned her angel wings.

We never got to see our daughter take her first steps or say her first words. We never had her wrap her arms around us and say "I love you mommy and daddy." There is no "first day of school" photo. She will never graduate high school or go to college. Matt will never walk her down the aisle and give her to the man who has promised to love her forever. We were blessed to have had 101 days with our daughter. Many CHD parents are not as fortunate as us. 

February 7 - 14 is "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week". Raising national awareness about Congenital Heart Defects is important on so many levels—it will provide hope for families of CHD survivors and comfort to those whose loved ones have lost their battles; it will inform the general public about the symptoms of CHDs and possibly save lives; and it will affirm the need for researchers and medical professionals to continue their work to improve the outlook for CHD patients. 

Here are a few ways you can help bring awareness to CHDs this week.

• If you are looking to give to a charity, think about donating to one that supports CHD research, such as the Children's Heart Foundation.
• If you give to the American Heart Association, put "Zachary Brooks Foundation" in the memo designating that your funds will go to a foundation set up specifically for CHD heart awareness and research.
• Wear red on February 14 to remember those who are affected by CHDs.
• And if you have children, hug them a little tighter and thank God for the miracle and wonderful gift you have been given.

Making the Jump

We often tell our children things like "don't let fear stop you from going after something you want" and "just go for it" but how often do we follow our own advice? 

Just over 16 years ago I graduated from Ohio State with a degree in Agricultural Communications and Business. After graduation I worked for a small public relations firm for a few years before gaining the experience I needed to open my own consulting business. This was the perfect career path to allow me to be able to do what I loved, while being able to stay home with my kids. When we moved to Japan I was unable to continue with my business and took the time to truly immerse myself our expat assignment.

Since returning stateside, I have been substitute teaching. It started as a way for me to get to know the local kids, as well as, the school district. What I didn't count on was that I would absolutely love being in the classroom. This should come to no surprise as both of my parents and my aunts and uncles were all teachers. So after much discussion with my family and lots of praying, yesterday I made the jump and sent in the beginning paperwork to return to school and get certified as a teacher. 

My hope is to one day be able to teach English/Language Arts and/or Marketing to high school students. I want to share my love for books and writing with students and hopefully, somehow, make a difference in their lives. I remember at my mother's funeral, students she had over 25 years ago talking about the impact she had on their lives. I never thought I would say this, but I want to be like my mom. (Matt, please take that statement with a grain of salt) 

We all have fears. We all have something that we want to be doing, but fear is holding us back. Today I encourage you to let go of that fear and make the jump. Take the risk. Just go for it. 

"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic." ~ Unknown