Stephen's Story

Stephen was born on April 17th, 2012 with a rare and very complex congenital heart defect.  The normal heart has four chambers, the upper chambers (atria) that receive blood coming into the heart, and the lower chambers (ventricles) that pump blood out of the heart.  Your right ventricle pumps blood into your lungs to receive oxygen and then sends the oxygen-rich blood back into the heart so it can be pumped out from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.



In Stephen's condition his right ventricle did not develop properly and is too small (hypoplastic) to function leaving him with only one functioning pumper chamber, his left ventricle.
While his condition is not curable, a serious of three open heart surgeries (2 of which he has had) are needed to survive.  Stephen underwent his first surgery at just over a week old, and his second at 4 months.  He ROCKED them!
He more than exceeded the expectations of his
doctors, nurses and suregons and we give credit to God who saw him through every step of the way.

While the future is uncertain we are so blessed by his life.  Stephen is a bright eyed handsome little boy who is so full of joy and has a smile that lights up a room.  He fills our days with laughter and our hearts with love.  My brother said it best..."The world is different because of your son, and whether we get to enjoy him for 75 years or not, the world is a more beautiful place because he is a part of it" AMEN!

He is our Heart Hero and the strongest little boy we know.

Our family was called to walk through this and we will continue to put our faith and trust in God.  We know the realities of Stephens condition and that the outcome might one day not be what we would like but God will see us through even gave us peace and hope along the way. 

Thank You for stopping by...we pray your heart can be touched by Stephen's!

With Much Love,

The Russells