Jeff Fortenberry: “I thank Dr. Price and my other colleagues who have cosponsored this Day of Hearts resolution, recognizing congenital…”

“I thank Dr. Price and my other colleagues who have cosponsored this Day of Hearts resolution, recognizing congenital heart defects and the impact they are having on American society and American families. As has been mentioned, approximately 35,000 babies are born each year with some variety of a congenital heart defect. Five years ago, my wife Celeste and I had a beautiful baby girl, and we named her Kathryn, and she was one of those 35,000 babies. She was diagnosed shortly after her birth with a complete atrial ventricular septal defect. It was a normal birth. Afterward, during a regular checkup, our family doctor heard something that almost jumped through his stethoscope. As we later found out, he was holding back his own emotion as he heard this. So that launched us then on a path, a very intense, difficult, 3-month period, until she had her first surgery. But one of the most encouraging things that happened for us then were other parents who found out we were suffering through this and who took initiative to call us, to extend a hand of friendship. Because when this happens to you, your world spins around 360 degrees. It is very hard to know who to turn to and where to go. So the support network of parents who simply took their own initiative to contact us was very deeply meaningful and helped us through this very difficult time. Kathryn, as many of your saw this past weekend, is a very vibrant, happy, 5-year-old.…”