Let me start by saying that I didn't know that CHD Awareness Week was this week, or even was a thing for that matter.  My wife filled me in, as she follows the wonderful folks at Mended Little Hearts, a program that works nationally and in communities to support children with congenital heart defects and their families.  Since CHD Week is a thing, and it is this week, I thought I'd take some time to reflect on two years ago, when my son's heart was mended.

First of all, if you don't know the story, my son, Bradley had a rough go of it for the first year of his life, with many unexplained illnesses, until he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect that require open-heart surgery at 11 months old.  I've told that story once before, so what I wanted to share is how I feel about my little Superman now.

Eric Cornish
Eric Cornish
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See, I really didn't want to follow sites like Mended Little Hearts, because in some ways, I feel like Bradley doesn't belong to that family.  I feel like ever since he had his surgery, he is a normal, average toddler with no more issues.  Right or wrong, I look at other kids and adults with CHD's and think, 'They are sick.  My son's not.'  In some cases that is true.  Some of the patients are not as lucky to get a clean bill of health after just one surgery.

There are some people that, every time they see Bradley, without fail, will comment on how big and strong he is since his surgery.  For some reason, I let that bother me, because I don't want his heart issues of the past define who he is now.

Cornish
Cornish
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But there is one thing that always serves as a reminder.  There's one thing, that Bradley doesn't even understand, but I always will.  After being pointed to Mended Little Hearts by my wife and seeing the social media tool they were using, it all made sense to me.

Cornish
Cornish
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That little mark on his chest, is a reminder.  It's a badge of honor.  It's a mark that will never completely fade.  A mark to let me and everyone who love Bradley know that he is special.  Not only that, but that we, those who love him, are lucky to have him.

B calls it his 'Superman line.'  He occasionally gets disappointed as he frowns and says, "But I still can't fly."  What's funny is he's flown so much higher than he can ever know, and that little line made his Daddy understand that remembering what he went through, and celebrating his little life is really important.  Rock that scar, buddy and show the world you CAN fly!

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