September 2, 2024
September 3, 2024
Source: Wavy News
Photo Source: Unsplash,
Virginia Beach girl born with rare heart defect selected as American Heart Association ambassador
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The American Heart Association has selected a 5th grader from New Castle Elementary School in Virginia Beach as its local youth heart ambassador.
Ten-year-old Abby Larsen was born with blue lips due to a rare heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. The defect causes four heart problems that affect the structure of the heart. It blocked blood flow from her heart to her lungs, causing the blue-gray coloring.
Abby Larsen
Abby’s parents actually found out she had it when her mom, Cindy, was pregnant with her, so Abby has been seeing specialists since before she was born.
Israel bombs historic Lebanese city as Blinken urges halt to war
“She’s been really lucky because we were really scared that she was going to have a ton of restrictions,” Cindy Larsen said.
There’s pretty much nothing Abby can’t do. She had two open heart surgeries before her first birthday. She now plays volleyball, takes Jujitsu classes and can even ride a roller coaster.
“So far, the heart is looking good and stable and sound, but at any point we might have to go in and replace the valve,” Cindy Larsen said.
Abby said she doesn’t want another surgery, and who could blame her?
“I used to think that I wouldn’t have to have another one,” Abby said. “And then one day I found out I’d have to have another one. I kind of like, freaked out a bit about that.”
She will need to have that valve replaced at some point in her late teens or early adult life. It’s part of her story.
“I really like sharing my story,” Abby said.
It propelled her to become an American Heart Association ambassador.
She recently practiced hands-on CPR at Harbor Park, where the AHA and Norfolk Tides teamed up for Life Saver Day.
Soon, she will be helping her classmates realize the importance of living heart-healthy lives through the Kids Heart Challenge.
“We talk about physical health,” said Jaylyn Brown with the American Heart Association of Hampton Roads. “The kids learn the FAST acronym, which is when you are noticing somebody that’s having a stroke and then they also learn hands-only CPR as well.”
How can such practices apply to real-life? How might such practices impact your health? What are the real-life facts of such cinematic creations?
Share the wealth of health with your colleagues and friends by sharing this article with 3 people today.
If this article was helpful to you, donate to the Shidonna Raven Garden and Cook E-Magazine Today. Thank you in advance.
Kommentare