Friends and family it is finally Courage Classic time again and this year I am riding for a child with a story and a smile that will melt your heart! This year I am once again riding in the Courage Classic for Tyrell, this is his story as told by his mom, Echo.
'Ty was born with a heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. When he was 2 days old he had the first of three open heart surgeries to help keep him alive. The first one was the Norwood. Ty had a lot of ups and downs and struggled for weeks in the CICU but eventually jumped all the hurdles and was able to come home after 7 weeks! Ty’s 2nd open heart surgery came at 6 months, the Glenn. He spent just 6 short days in the hospital and was able to come home! Ty was doing well after his Glenn and was able to stay out of the hospital for a year and a half until he caught RSV, which landed him back in the CICU with a blood clot in his heart and decreased heart function. The Drs. were optimistic his heart function might return, however a week after being home he was back for a clinic visit that would prove to change the road ahead. February 2017 Ty has an MRI of his heart that shows only 30% of his right side was working. With a terrified mom and dad, Tyrell was listed for a heart transplant February 28, 2017. We had to stay inpatient while we waited and that is where Ty had all the nurses wrapped around his finger. We have several nurses that became lifelong friends, while others became more like family! Six weeks and 1 day later, on a Thursday afternoon, while watching The Minions two of the transplant coordinators came in. They shared the great news that Tyrell had a heart. Two short weeks after his heart transplant Ty was discharged to the Ronald McDonald House for 3 months and then July of 2017 Ty was able to head home!! It’s been a very emotional roller coaster but he is worth every unknown day we have had! He’s able to keep up with his brother now. It has been two amazing years with his new heart and Tyrell is making it all count! He loves being outside and is always up for a new adventure!'
Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects thousands of children and families and is one of the most common types of birth defects in our nation. 1 in 100 children will be born with congenital heart disease, and many children and families face a future of hospitalizations, cardiac medications, heart catheterizations, and open heart surgeries. Ty has inspired me with his unwavering bravery, courage, and resiliance and I am constantly inspired by him and his family. Please help me to achieve my fundraising goal this year, raise awareness for Pediatric congenital heart disease, and ride over 100 miles to honor their courage and to support their journey!
The Courage Classic is not only a personal challenge, but also an opportunity to support positive outcomes for kids and families who rely on Children's Colorado for care.
