This is my why....

Why I fundraise for Choc Hospital (Children's Hospital Orange County).
 

At a mere age of 3 weeks old I went in for a checkup, my feet were a little blue and I looked a little puggy. You would think how cute. Well not cute at all I was in heart failure and needed open heart surgery. My aorta was too small. I was so young to have such a big operation. 

When I was in the NICU, I would get so scared when the ambulances came into the emergency room below with their sirens on. Till this day, I am still afraid of sirens. I had this surgery at a Children's Hospital.

Fast forward till I was 6 years old, I found out it was time for another open-heart surgery. It was hard being so young and not being able to do what the other kids in the neighborhood could do. Instead of being outside running around or riding my bike, my big fun was being pulled around the neighborhood in a wagon. I couldn't put my hand over my heart at school as I said the Pledge of Allegiance and I couldn't play on the playground at recess. It was really hard being 6 years old and being told you couldn't go on any playgrounds for a year. I had this surgery at a Children's Hospital.

When I was 12 years old, I went into the Dr's for a routine heart checkup and my mom was mad at me for not standing up straight for the x-ray. The Dr. told my mom and I, I had scoliosis. My scoliosis was bad. Normally when you have scoliosis, your spine curves and makes a C. My spine curved on both sides and made an S. My spine was close to hitting my lungs on both sides.

I had my scoliosis surgery at CHOC Children's Hospital Orange County. Choc was an amazing place to have a surgery. They had a teen area. We had our own game room. One day when I was at CHOC they had a group come in and sing songs and we all got their CD.

When I went home, I had a long road ahead of me, I had to learn how to walk again. I was 12 years old and in 7th grade, however I no longer knew how to walk. I had a walker; over the next year I learned how to walk again with the help of two metal rods in my back keeping the scoliosis from getting any worse. Till this day I have metal rods down my entire spine. Once again I couldn't ride my bike or do what kids my age were doing.

When I was 21, I found out I needed heart surgery yet again. Due to my past history I had this surgery also at a Children's Hospital.

Children's Hospitals have saved my life several times throughout the years, this is why I like to fundraise and give back to such an amazing organization. Choc will always hold a dear place in my heart.

More recently I had another health scare which put me back in the hospital again. This time I got sepsis and my lungs shut down and I was on oxygen staring at the wall for 7 months.

Through everything I have been through, I stay strong and try to help others and give back as much as I can.

Please help me in my quest to give back by donating to my Choc Walk in the Park at Disneyland Fundraiser together we can make a difference.

Thank you

Heather