Greetings, Friends! Facebook is a twitter with news about Shaun White! At least the congenital heart defect Facebook community is raving about this inspiring young man. Everyone is talking about "The Flying Tomato" -- an amazing 23-year-old snowboarding sensation.
What most people don't know is that Shaun White was born with a severe, congenital heart defect known as tetralogy of Fallot.
Tetralogy of Fallot was one of the first severe congenital heart defects for doctors to attempt to "fix." Dr. Helen Taussig is known for saving "blue babies" -- babies born with tetralogy of Fallot and other congenital heart defects which result in poor oxygenation, thus causing the babies to look blue. She, like Shaun White, is a hero.
Most people don't know that Dr. Taussig lost her mother at the tender age of 11 and that she suffered from dyslexia. Not only did she overcome her disability, she went on to earn a degree from Radcliff College and eventually earned a medical degree from John Hopkins University -- one of the few universities which accepted women at the time. Taking on an internship in cardiology, Dr. Taussig noticed something that had been missed by other doctors -- some blue babies lived longer than others and she realized why. There is an opening (patent ductus arteriosus) which closes shortly after birth. For some babies, the closing of their PDA was a death sentence. Dr. Taussig realized that if she could somehow keep the PDA open, or create an artificial pathway, blue babies could do better.
In 1941, Dr. Alfred Blalock met Dr. Helen Taussig at Johns Hopkins and she suggested the creation of a PDA. Thus began the collaboration of Blalock and Taussig (and Alfred Blalock's brilliant technician, Vivien Thomas) and a life-saving surgery often called "The Blalock-Taussig Shunt" which is sometimes part of a surgery needed to save children with other heart defects. My son had his B-T shunt when he had his Norwood Procedure, as do many children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Thanks to Dr. Taussig and Dr. Blalock, some people born with broken hearts have a chance to live a normal life. Or in the case of Shaun White, an extraordinary life. I imagine Shaun White doesn't even know that Dr. Helen Taussig had to overcome prejudice against women and her learning disability and that Vivien Thomas had to overcome prejudice against African Americans in order to create the surgical technique that was probably used to save Shaun's life. What he doesn't realize is that just by virtue of the fact that he is competing in the Olympics, he is helping to defeat yet another prejudice -- the belief that if a child is born with a broken heart, he will not have a good quality of life. Shaun White is proof that even if a child is born with a broken heart, he just might go to the Olympics. He just might realize a seemingly impossible dream.
Congratulations, Shaun White! From one American to another, I'm proud you're representing our country in Vancouver. From a congenital heart defect advocate to a CHD survivor -- you're an inspiration and a joy to behold. Thanks to people like you, my son has a shining example of how a person's heart defect doesn't have to define him. I, like the Facebook community I belong to, applaud and honor you.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Baby Hearts Press February Special!
Greetings! Baby Hearts Press has a special for February - Heart Month. Buy a book and get a free item. See www.babyheartspress.com for more details!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Baby Hearts Press Interns!
Greetings, Heart Friends! I have some exciting news to report! Baby Hearts Press has two interns!
How did this come about? Vice-President of Marketing, Bob Daigneault, hired a life coach and has had to do various activities to satisfy his personal program. In the course of working toward his life goals, he had to take some tests. One of the tests showed his strengths and weaknesses. This test illustrated for President, Anna Jaworski (me), and Bob that Baby Hearts Press was not fully utilizing Bob's strengths.
Bob Daigneault was a classroom teacher for years before becoming an administrator first in the Killeen Independent School District and later for the San Antonio Northside Independent School District (one of the biggest in our state!). Bob's great strengths deal with helping people to reach their potential by training and guiding them in certain programs.
Together, we realized that we had a great opportunity to share what we've learned about publishing with an intern -- and meanwhile could gain some much-needed help in the areas of publicity and marketing. Bob created a proposal and sent it to Temple College and the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. Within the month, we had a chance to interview Thomas Bradley and we believed that working together would be a win-win situation. Thomas plans to self-publish a book someday and he hopes that by working with us at Baby Hearts Press, he will gain the knowledge he needs to be successful.
I was so excited about having Thomas join us at Baby Hearts Press that I posted a note about it on my Facebook page. To my amazement, Sheri Turner, a long-time friend, "heart" mom and congenital heart defect advocate posted a note stating she wished she could be a Baby Hearts Press intern. I was delighted!
After some discussion and consideration, Baby Hearts Press decided to offer Sheri an internship position as well. There certainly is more than enough work for two people! Sheri is currently working on a graduate degree in business and I'm sure she will be able to share some great information with Baby Hearts Press while she helps us help other heart families like her own.
Baby Hearts Press welcomes Thomas and Sheri to our small family and hopes our association will be a fruitful one!
How did this come about? Vice-President of Marketing, Bob Daigneault, hired a life coach and has had to do various activities to satisfy his personal program. In the course of working toward his life goals, he had to take some tests. One of the tests showed his strengths and weaknesses. This test illustrated for President, Anna Jaworski (me), and Bob that Baby Hearts Press was not fully utilizing Bob's strengths.
Bob Daigneault was a classroom teacher for years before becoming an administrator first in the Killeen Independent School District and later for the San Antonio Northside Independent School District (one of the biggest in our state!). Bob's great strengths deal with helping people to reach their potential by training and guiding them in certain programs.
Together, we realized that we had a great opportunity to share what we've learned about publishing with an intern -- and meanwhile could gain some much-needed help in the areas of publicity and marketing. Bob created a proposal and sent it to Temple College and the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. Within the month, we had a chance to interview Thomas Bradley and we believed that working together would be a win-win situation. Thomas plans to self-publish a book someday and he hopes that by working with us at Baby Hearts Press, he will gain the knowledge he needs to be successful.
I was so excited about having Thomas join us at Baby Hearts Press that I posted a note about it on my Facebook page. To my amazement, Sheri Turner, a long-time friend, "heart" mom and congenital heart defect advocate posted a note stating she wished she could be a Baby Hearts Press intern. I was delighted!
After some discussion and consideration, Baby Hearts Press decided to offer Sheri an internship position as well. There certainly is more than enough work for two people! Sheri is currently working on a graduate degree in business and I'm sure she will be able to share some great information with Baby Hearts Press while she helps us help other heart families like her own.
Baby Hearts Press welcomes Thomas and Sheri to our small family and hopes our association will be a fruitful one!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Orlando Conference
Greetings, Heart Friends!
Last night was quite exciting for me. I gave the second part of a 3-part speech to my Toastmasters during our regularly scheduled Toastmasters meeting. It was about the need to find balance in our spiritual/religious life after our child is diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
I have never spoken about this at a conference before. I want to thank Pepper Adair for giving me the chance to talk about this in Orlando. Pepper gave me a theme to work with when she hired me to deliver her keynote address to her audience in Miami, FL two years ago. The theme was on finding or creating balance in your life after your child's heart defect has been diagnosed. The next year (last year), when she asked me to speak to her parents in Panama City Beach, FL, she wanted to use the same theme. When she hired me to speak this year in Orlando, FL, I wasn't surprised when she told me the theme would be the same this year.
For Miami, my speech was largely about chores, normal developmental stages of development in children and how their normal development is enhanced when they are allowed to be contributing partners in a family. I gave suggestions for appropriate chores for different age groups and shared stories about children and their experiences with chores (both my own children and that of my friends). For Panama City Beach, we changed the focus so it wasn't quite so didactic and I had more stories and less "teaching" about normal development, although I still gave the handouts I had created the year before to help parents know what is normal and what isn't so they could address issues at appropriate times.
It has been so much fun to take a theme, create speeches for it and watch those speeches grow, change and blossom. I believe the speech I'm writing for this year's conference is the best one I've written yet. This year I'm focusing on finding/creating balance in 3 essential areas: 1) home, community and social network, 2) work/economic life and 3) spiritual/religious life. Because the economy is the way it is right now, I believe this speech is both timely and pertinent to today's parents. I hope the listeners enjoy hearing the speech as much as I've enjoyed writing it.
My second speech has been cut in time from 45 minutes to 30 minutes. I'll still be talking about Your Child's Bright Future -- just like in the 2 previous years, but this year it will be a little bit different. Pepper has also commissioned for a doctor who specializes in working with ACHDers to give a similar speech from the medical perspective. I can't wait to talk to the doctor who will be giving the medical speech. Pepper is so excited she's agreed to speak to the group. I'm hoping she'll talk to the young adults about the importance of taking their medicines, continuing with their regularly scheduled appointments and taking responsibility for their own healthcare so I don't have to dwell on that. I've already written a speech, but I might modify it after I speak to this doctor.
If any of you readers is going to be in the Orlando area on October 3rd, I hope you'll come to this conference. I think it's going to be very interesting and informative. I'm looking forward to hearing what the other speakers have to say. I'm also looking forward to seeing some old friends (I hope you're coming Bob and Linda!) and to making some new heart friends.
I hope everyone has a great week!
Sincerely,
Anna Jaworski
mom to Joey (18; heart healthy) and Alex (15; HLHS)
author of “Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: A Handbook for Parents” and “My Brother Needs an Operation” and editor of “The Heart of a Mother” and “The Heart of a Father”
www.babyheartspress.com
www.congenitalheartdefects.com
Last night was quite exciting for me. I gave the second part of a 3-part speech to my Toastmasters during our regularly scheduled Toastmasters meeting. It was about the need to find balance in our spiritual/religious life after our child is diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
I have never spoken about this at a conference before. I want to thank Pepper Adair for giving me the chance to talk about this in Orlando. Pepper gave me a theme to work with when she hired me to deliver her keynote address to her audience in Miami, FL two years ago. The theme was on finding or creating balance in your life after your child's heart defect has been diagnosed. The next year (last year), when she asked me to speak to her parents in Panama City Beach, FL, she wanted to use the same theme. When she hired me to speak this year in Orlando, FL, I wasn't surprised when she told me the theme would be the same this year.
For Miami, my speech was largely about chores, normal developmental stages of development in children and how their normal development is enhanced when they are allowed to be contributing partners in a family. I gave suggestions for appropriate chores for different age groups and shared stories about children and their experiences with chores (both my own children and that of my friends). For Panama City Beach, we changed the focus so it wasn't quite so didactic and I had more stories and less "teaching" about normal development, although I still gave the handouts I had created the year before to help parents know what is normal and what isn't so they could address issues at appropriate times.
It has been so much fun to take a theme, create speeches for it and watch those speeches grow, change and blossom. I believe the speech I'm writing for this year's conference is the best one I've written yet. This year I'm focusing on finding/creating balance in 3 essential areas: 1) home, community and social network, 2) work/economic life and 3) spiritual/religious life. Because the economy is the way it is right now, I believe this speech is both timely and pertinent to today's parents. I hope the listeners enjoy hearing the speech as much as I've enjoyed writing it.
My second speech has been cut in time from 45 minutes to 30 minutes. I'll still be talking about Your Child's Bright Future -- just like in the 2 previous years, but this year it will be a little bit different. Pepper has also commissioned for a doctor who specializes in working with ACHDers to give a similar speech from the medical perspective. I can't wait to talk to the doctor who will be giving the medical speech. Pepper is so excited she's agreed to speak to the group. I'm hoping she'll talk to the young adults about the importance of taking their medicines, continuing with their regularly scheduled appointments and taking responsibility for their own healthcare so I don't have to dwell on that. I've already written a speech, but I might modify it after I speak to this doctor.
If any of you readers is going to be in the Orlando area on October 3rd, I hope you'll come to this conference. I think it's going to be very interesting and informative. I'm looking forward to hearing what the other speakers have to say. I'm also looking forward to seeing some old friends (I hope you're coming Bob and Linda!) and to making some new heart friends.
I hope everyone has a great week!
Sincerely,
Anna Jaworski
mom to Joey (18; heart healthy) and Alex (15; HLHS)
author of “Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: A Handbook for Parents” and “My Brother Needs an Operation” and editor of “The Heart of a Mother” and “The Heart of a Father”
www.babyheartspress.com
www.congenitalheartdefects.com
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Baby Hearts Press Special & Parent Conference
Greetings, Friends! It has been an exciting month! Last week all three of my guys celebrated a birthday. That means my oldest son (Joey) is now 18! Alexander, my "heart" son is now 15 and my husband is a year older and wiser, too. :-)
This has been an exciting summer since we released The Heart of a Father: Essays by Men Affected by Congenital Heart Defects. We have had book signings to help spread the news about the book, but now we've decided to offer an Internet special.
In order for people to own a library of resources from Baby Hearts Press, we are currently offering The Heart of a Mother, The Heart of a Father and My Brother Needs an Operation for the low price of $50 for all three! That's a $15 savings and only available at our home website: http://www.babyheartspress.com. You will not find discounts like that available anywhere else. Visit the website for more information.
We have also been working with Pepper Adair (American Heart Association Heart Heroes) on the parent conference for this year in Orlando, Florida. Here are the details:
When? October 3, 2009
Where? Orlando, Florida
What? Parent conference featuring experts in the field of congenital heart defects. This year will feature Anna Jaworski as the keynote speaker and other speakers from the medical community.
How Much Does it Cost? nothing! It's absolutely free, but you must register with Pepper Adair
How? Contact Pepper at heroes@heart.org or call her toll free at 888-255-1060 or if you're in Florida, you can call her directly at 561-697-6619
I'm really looking forward to the conference. Every year I put together a new speech and I've already started writing the keynote speech for this year. I'll be giving the keynote speech, one other speech (they'll have concurrent sessions this year in a variety of rooms) and I'll take part in a panel discussion.
I hope all my Florida friends will come to this event! Pepper and her staff always put on a fun conference. I'm always impressed with how hard the staff works to make it fun for the whole family. There are some whole family activities and then some special activities for the children while the parents listen to the other speakers.
I'll post more information on the conference as it becomes available to me.
This has been an exciting summer since we released The Heart of a Father: Essays by Men Affected by Congenital Heart Defects. We have had book signings to help spread the news about the book, but now we've decided to offer an Internet special.
In order for people to own a library of resources from Baby Hearts Press, we are currently offering The Heart of a Mother, The Heart of a Father and My Brother Needs an Operation for the low price of $50 for all three! That's a $15 savings and only available at our home website: http://www.babyheartspress.com. You will not find discounts like that available anywhere else. Visit the website for more information.
We have also been working with Pepper Adair (American Heart Association Heart Heroes) on the parent conference for this year in Orlando, Florida. Here are the details:
When? October 3, 2009
Where? Orlando, Florida
What? Parent conference featuring experts in the field of congenital heart defects. This year will feature Anna Jaworski as the keynote speaker and other speakers from the medical community.
How Much Does it Cost? nothing! It's absolutely free, but you must register with Pepper Adair
How? Contact Pepper at heroes@heart.org or call her toll free at 888-255-1060 or if you're in Florida, you can call her directly at 561-697-6619
I'm really looking forward to the conference. Every year I put together a new speech and I've already started writing the keynote speech for this year. I'll be giving the keynote speech, one other speech (they'll have concurrent sessions this year in a variety of rooms) and I'll take part in a panel discussion.
I hope all my Florida friends will come to this event! Pepper and her staff always put on a fun conference. I'm always impressed with how hard the staff works to make it fun for the whole family. There are some whole family activities and then some special activities for the children while the parents listen to the other speakers.
I'll post more information on the conference as it becomes available to me.
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Twig Book Signing
Last weekend Bob Daigneault (Dad), Frank Jaworski and I drove to San Antonio to do a book signing at The Twig Book Shop. This is an adorable shop on Broadway in San Antonio. It is one of the exclusive bookstores that physically carries our books. Any book store can order The Heart of a Father: Essays by Men Affected by Congenital Heart Defects because it's in Ingram's database, but only a handful of indie bookstores currently carry our books.
Frank and Bob Daigneault (Dad) at the book signing table
Bob signing a book with Frank and Kevin watching
Several things made this book signing special. Claudia of The Twig really outdid herself by providing refreshments and making us feel welcome.
Refreshment Table & Welcome Sign for MLH and IMH
Mary Adair kindly sent out electronic flyers inviting members of her support group, Mended Little Hearts, to come to the book signing. Heather Collins of It's My Heart also let her members know about our signing.
Heather, Coleman and Kevin Collins
It was delightful to see people from the heart community come out in support of the book and us. Here is a photo of Brenda Cabaza (a nurse who works with Dr. Calhoon -- the surgeon who saved Alex's life):
Brenda Cabaza
One of the most wonderful things to happen at the book signing was for Dawn and Wayne Martin to show up! Dawn contributed to The Heart of a Mother and I hadn't seen her since we did a television interview nine years ago! I really enjoyed getting a chance to meet her husband for the first time, too. Here are some photos of us:
Frank, Wayne, Dawn and Anna (me)
Just Dawn and Anna (me)
Christy Lerma of Mended Little Hearts also showed up! It was wonderful to get a chance to meet her and talk to her about her son. Here is a photo of Christy, Dawn and me:
I would like to thank The Twig, all of the members of the heart community who showed up and Mary Adair for helping to make this book signing the success it was.
Here are Frank and Dad at the table where we did the book signing:
Frank and Bob Daigneault (Dad) at the book signing table
Bob signing a book with Frank and Kevin watchingSeveral things made this book signing special. Claudia of The Twig really outdid herself by providing refreshments and making us feel welcome.
Refreshment Table & Welcome Sign for MLH and IMHMary Adair kindly sent out electronic flyers inviting members of her support group, Mended Little Hearts, to come to the book signing. Heather Collins of It's My Heart also let her members know about our signing.
Here is a photo of Heather's family:
Heather, Coleman and Kevin CollinsIt was delightful to see people from the heart community come out in support of the book and us. Here is a photo of Brenda Cabaza (a nurse who works with Dr. Calhoon -- the surgeon who saved Alex's life):
Brenda CabazaOne of the most wonderful things to happen at the book signing was for Dawn and Wayne Martin to show up! Dawn contributed to The Heart of a Mother and I hadn't seen her since we did a television interview nine years ago! I really enjoyed getting a chance to meet her husband for the first time, too. Here are some photos of us:
Frank, Wayne, Dawn and Anna (me)
Just Dawn and Anna (me)Christy Lerma of Mended Little Hearts also showed up! It was wonderful to get a chance to meet her and talk to her about her son. Here is a photo of Christy, Dawn and me:
I would like to thank The Twig, all of the members of the heart community who showed up and Mary Adair for helping to make this book signing the success it was.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Book signing of The Heart of a Father: Essays by Men Affected by Congenital Heart Defects
Book signing of "The Heart of a Father"
by Anna Jaworski, Bob Daigneault and Frank Jaworski
The Twig Book Shop
Saturday, July 18th 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
5005 Broadway St.
San Antonio, TX 78209-5793
by Anna Jaworski, Bob Daigneault and Frank Jaworski
The Twig Book Shop
Saturday, July 18th 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
5005 Broadway St.
San Antonio, TX 78209-5793
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