Incidence of Childhood Heart Disease is far greater than most people expect. Although it comes as quite a shock to family and friends alike, an astounding 6 babies each day in Australia are diagnosed with heart disease! Cures remain predominantly unknown and little in general is known about the disease and its causes.
Heart defects are present in 1 in 100 babies - this is a common statistic all over the world. In Australia it is the most common birth abnormality and is the leading cause of death in young children death, accounting for more than 30% of all childhood deaths. Childhood Heart Disease takes more lives than all other childhood diseases combined. Nearly twice as many children die each year from congenital heart disease compared with all childhood cancers yet most people are unaware how common it is, I had no idea until I experienced it myself!
Many of you who follow me will be aware that I have a son who has a complex CHD so far he has had two major heart surgeries and will continue to need further surgeries through his life. He has had countless procedures in relation to his heart condition yet like many children who face ongoing health issues, he is inspirational, our little hero, so brave and very special to us.
Today my 365 photo will be something to help raise awareness and I would love my fellow 365ers to join in the theme to help me get the message out there.
Tag CHD-awareness
This is a link to a video montage of William's heart journey so far. I haven't been able to post it so you can click on it, but if you cop and paste it on your browser it will take you to the montage:
Your video brought tears to me eyes. Your son is adorable and brave. He’s still able to smile despite having a big bandage on his chest from surgery. We don’t hear much about CHD here in the US either. I believe we can share your video on Facebook, so I will do so.
@lisjam1 Thankyou, you are very welcome to share it on facebook. I have many friends from the USA through the heart community on facebook and it is also 1 in 100 children born with a CHD in the USA xx
I am trying to get your video to play. It keeps loading. I think its my computer.
but I do want to say Thank You for sharing. Tomorrow is Feb 1st so I will be doing a heart photo in honor. I have the idea all set in my head. just have to wait till the day
Wow.. your video really touched me, I have shared it with all my friends on facebook now. William looks gorgeous, and he's smiling in all of the photos on there! There isn't as much awareness of CHD as there should be here in the UK either, so thank you for sharing this with us all.
Just to make it easier.. if anyone wants the link to the video, instead of copying and pasting the link you can just click here.
Jo, your story touched me. I had a wonderful student once who had had a heart transplant. She was a courageous young lady. Her parents were so good and brave. After I finish my series of photos on this week's historic winter storm, I will try to take a photo for CHD awareness.
@saclunch@katiegc24@daisy thankyou for the lovely support @katiegc24 Thanks for the better link and if your pic involves Greg I must say I am a little excited lol!!
@tamo thankyou Teresa. I hope your niece has a healthy heart but if not I hope your family can find the wonderful support that we have found in HeartKids (Australia). Medical technologies are advancing so quickly and the surgeons that look after these children are amazing.
What a wonderful video to help raise awareness of CHD.William is such a special little boy and I can see why he is such an inspiration to you and everyone he touches :)
@jo365 Thank You. I woke up first thing in the morning and was excited to do this.
I have seen people do the hand hearts before so I knew that is what I wanted to do when we started talking in this thread. but I had no IDEA how hard it is to do by yourself..lol I have a lot of other photos I will put up once I buy the ACE :)
Tell William I said hello.
I hadn't seen this message earlier but I decided that I was doing a heart theme for every day from Feb 1-14th. I will tag my photos CHD-awareness and hope it will help in some way!
Rice Krispy Heart-"I caught a heart" my daughter says this morning at breakfast. "Huh?" I say. "Look! On my spoon!" I go and I see this random rice krispy heart...and I immediately tear up...as I think of Childhood Heart Disease. "Wait...let me take a picture!!!" I run, I get a shot and this is it...Heart defects are present in 1 in 100 babies - and mine are sitting at this table.
This pin was givin' to my daughter on her first day of school. I pinned it on the inside of her jacket so that she would know i was thinking of her. She's 17 now and still on the first day of school she takes her pin with her.
This is an X-ray of my cousin...she is just shy of a year and a half. She was born with a hole in her heart. Prayers have been answered, as it is closing on its own.
This child has my heart...I absolutely adore her.
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but I do want to say Thank You for sharing. Tomorrow is Feb 1st so I will be doing a heart photo in honor. I have the idea all set in my head. just have to wait till the day
Just to make it easier.. if anyone wants the link to the video, instead of copying and pasting the link you can just click here.
Here is my first picture for the theme
I have seen people do the hand hearts before so I knew that is what I wanted to do when we started talking in this thread. but I had no IDEA how hard it is to do by yourself..lol I have a lot of other photos I will put up once I buy the ACE :)
Tell William I said hello.
i didnt realise this yesterday as i was rushing around but i did do a heart pic by chance yesterday so will tagg and add it :) x
Day 32
Fluffy Love
Crazy Love
Awareness and understanding... HOPE
My daughter did not have CHD but due to the doctors THINKING she did, it saved her life
My heart, my soul, my child.
Rice Krispy Heart-"I caught a heart" my daughter says this morning at breakfast. "Huh?" I say. "Look! On my spoon!" I go and I see this random rice krispy heart...and I immediately tear up...as I think of Childhood Heart Disease. "Wait...let me take a picture!!!" I run, I get a shot and this is it...Heart defects are present in 1 in 100 babies - and mine are sitting at this table.
This pin was givin' to my daughter on her first day of school. I pinned it on the inside of her jacket so that she would know i was thinking of her. She's 17 now and still on the first day of school she takes her pin with her.
This is an X-ray of my cousin...she is just shy of a year and a half. She was born with a hole in her heart. Prayers have been answered, as it is closing on its own.
This child has my heart...I absolutely adore her.