Leah was diagnosed with Mitral Valve regurgitation at the age of 18 months old. Since then she has been seen by some amazing doctors at Minneapolis Children's Heart Clinic to monitor her heart function as well as her general needs for her heart. At that time of her diagnosis, Leah was put on multiple medications which posed many different challenges in their own ways. From agitation, to massive migraine headaches, dizziness, etc. Leah has always had a strong will.... And we thank God for that strong will. She is a trooper and will alway manage to find a smile for someone even when she is down and out. As we look back on those young years we can only imagine what her little body was going through.

When Leah was in 3rd grade it was decided that it was time to make a repair on her Mitral Valve that had reached maximum capacity of leakage. Leah was again a extreme trooper! She did so well that she was up and out of the hospital in about a weeks time. I will never forget my sweet girls first words upon seeing her heart Doctor, whom we all loved and trusted. Leah looked at him with sleepy eyes and took his hand saying to him, " did you fix my heart? Is it all done now?" As they say, out of the mouths of babes. The heart repair unfortunately only lasted a very short while until it started to leak again. Sadly she had to undergo yet another open heart surgery the very next year. This was a huge disapointment in Leah's eyes. Once again her strong will pulled her through and got her out of the hospital with in a weeks time. Kids are amazing. This repair has lasted much longer.

Leah is continuously being monitored by the doctors at Minneapolis Children's Heart Clinic. We are always trying to determine what the next plan of action is for her, as her heart continues to have moderate regurgitation as well as a tricuspid leak. This all needs to be watched closely as we are unsure at what point more intervention will need to take place. We know for certain that she is great care with these doctors.

Walking in this Heartbeat5000 walk is a way for our family to give back to the place that took great care of our daughter at such a difficult time. We know that we are not the only ones, that's for sure. Our family has extended family and friends alike that have been affected by heart conditions and have also used Children's Hospital. We hope that our 4th year of walking the walk, will bring needed money to aid in the cardiac floor needs. 

Thank you for taking the time to care, and to get to know my wonderful daughter Leah who is now a beautiful 14 year old girl. A teenager in every sense of the word?. Thank God!