Melissa: Support for Children who are Medically Fragile

infant with scar from heart surgery

My name is Melissa, and I have been a service coordinator for 2½ years with Child and Family Connections #15. I am the mother of a 5-year-old who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a major heart defect. During her first two years, my daughter had three open-heart surgeries, which she recovered from amazingly well. She also had two strokes within a short time when she was around 2 years old. Because of the collaboration between our family and the Early Intervention Program, she is a bright, energetic, and inquisitive little girl in preschool. I understand what it is like to watch your child endure medical procedures and how this experience impacts the entire family. I hope to offer support and resources for all families and especially those families who have been through numerous hospitalizations and are looking for others to relate to what they have experienced.