Hi ! I'm Brittani. I am one of the 1 in 100. Both sides of these photos are a part of my normal. I had my 1st Open Heart Surgery at less than a day old at Children’s in Chicago. I’ve never even seen myself without my scars. I literally know nothing but this life.

The right side is more of my everyday life. The left is from the 4 Open Heart Surgeries I’ve had.

I was born with 5 congenital heart defects (Arterial Septal Defect, Ventricular Septal Defect, Pulmonary Vein Stenosis, Patent Ductus Arteriosus & Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return type III Infacardic) I was also born with 2 congenital lung defects, which are in part with the heart defects. Before I was born, no knew I was sick. I have a much longer list of other heart/lung issues, which many chd’ers are prone to getting as we age. Pulmonary hypertension. Afib. Heart Failure, and more

This July I’m turning 30. An age I truly wasn’t sure I’d get to see. In the Fall of 2017 I realized how bad my health had declined. I couldn’t finish a cardiac MRI. Fast Forward to now, I’m in my 2nd round of evaluation for heart/bilateral lung transplant.

While CHD doesn’t define who I am, it is taking over my life more & more. I have a powered scooter because walking is harder. I leave the house a lot less. I’m on 16 meds, most of which are heart/lung meds. I can’t cook the way I used to, or practice photography. Sitting and talking is harder. I even have to sleep with a wedge pillow. I’m wanting a portable oxygen concentrator from Inogen, while I’m thankful for Medicaid has covered, due to their rules, despite the fact we have proof of my declining cardio & respiratory capacity and my oxygen levels drop... I don’t qualify.

Spreading awareness for CHD is one of the most important things I’ll ever do. Dr’s have learned from me my whole life. Not only to help me but to help others with Congenital Heart Defects. It’s the #1 birth defect worldwide, yet it’s somehow not well known or well funded. That's where you come in.

Please help in sharing so we can get attention & the right understanding we deserve.

More awareness = more potential funding = more research = more/better treatment = better quality of life. More lives saved.

Adult Congenital Heart Association

Pediatric Congenital Heart Association

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about CHD and reading my story. Please share this!