BLOG: My hero is a five-year-old heart warrior
Logan Green, journalist, writes:
As a sport journalist it’s easy for me to throw the word “hero” about like confetti at a wedding.
What makes a hero though?
Let’s consult the Merriam-Webster dictionary, shall we?
Definition of hero:
a: A mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability.
b: An illustrious warrior.
c: A person admired for achievements and noble qualities.
d: One who shows great courage.
In my line of work I have met many heroes.
Not just of the sporting sort either.
I’m talking about every day heroes who have overcome, and who are still facing head-on, obstacles that an average Joe like me cannot even begin to fathom.
On a personal level, I never thought that a member of own family would become my hero and a hero to many others.
Those who know me definitely know about my five-year-old nephew Jaden Trollip and his fight against congenital heart disease (CHD) and his specific form of CHD called tricuspid atresia.
What is CHD?
From the folks at Wiki:
A congenital heart defect (CHD), also known as a congenital heart anomaly or congenital heart disease, is a problem in the structure of the heart that is present at birth. Signs and symptoms depend on the specific type of problem. Symptoms can vary from none to life-threatening. When present they may include rapid breathing, bluish skin, poor weight gain, and feeling tired. It does not cause chest pain. Most congenital heart problems do not occur with other diseases.Complications that can result from heart defects include heart failure.
It’s a battle that “J” has faced since it was discovered at the tender age of five-weeks-old.
He has since gone under the knife three times in his short life and, without sugar-coating anything, has had his chest split open like a peri-peri chicken flatty.
Jaden rose above it all!
In just two weeks he was back home recovering slowly, but well.
He will probably never be a Springbok rugby player, yet he has tackled more at the age of five than Schalk Burger.
My belief that this kid is a real-life superhero was reinforced when I visited him in the intensive care unit at the Sunninghill Hospital a few days after his recent surgery.
There was this little boy, pipes and drains inserted in his chest, forced to stay in a bed all day in an unpleasant place.
A new-born baby was wheeled in next to him and sounded like he was really battling.
Jaden was playing YouTube videos of Barney the Dinosaur on his granny’s phone and said to me: “I’m playing Barney to help the little baby feel better,” he said.
With all that is going on in his young life he was more concerned about the well-being of this baby than his own problems.
This is why Jaden is my hero.
His story has reached far and wide with so many people taking an interest in his journey.
People have rallied together to help raise funds for his post-surgery expenses and to help ease the financial and emotional burden on his parents.
International supermodel Genevieve Morton (a family friend) has even sold limited edition T-shirts for the cause.
There have been so many others who have reached out with support and kindness.
They are every day heroes.
Speaking of heroes, how lucky is this boykie to have such a strong woman for a mother?
My sister Caitlin’s commitment to her son and to promoting CHD awareness is resolute and unshakable.
From day one she has handled whatever is thrown at her with courage.
Even when her own child is suffering she still takes the time to get to know other parents and children in similar boats and to promote their causes, too.
It’s great that she is a teacher.
Our nation’s children need more educators like her.
Just this week CHD was thrust into the spotlight when US comedian and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel told his audience about his newborn son, William, who was born with heart defects on April 21 and was forced to undergo an invasive operation to treat him.
“Billy” has a type of CHD called “Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia” and the awareness status of CHDs has shot up like a rocket in the USA.
Hopefully the same will happen here in the RSA.
Billy is a hero, too.
As is Winter Olympic snowboarding double gold medalist Shaun White, who was born with the same CHD condition as Jimmy’s son.
Here he shares his story with Jimmy:
The fact that a person like Shaun White has overcome the odds and gone on to become a sporting superstar gives me great hope.
I do not care if Jaden becomes a professional snowboarder, rugby player or president.
I just care that he gets a full lifetime to enjoy the beauty and explore the vastness of this wondrous universe.
I care about him growing into a capable and respectful gentleman with the world at his feet.
I care about him becoming a genuine, caring individual and an exemplary South African.
I care about him becoming a hero and inspiration to other children in the same boat as him, as well as to their parents and families.
I care about him using his story to help more people become aware of CHDs.
Anyway, I am using this public platform to promote a Donkey Derby fund-raiser for my hero and his post-surgery costs.
It will be held this Saturday (May 6) at The Party Venue at 89 Patten Road in Benoni Agricultural Holdings at 5pm for 5.30pm.
Pony rides and kiddies’ fun start at 1pm.
For just R80 for adults and R40 for kiddies you can have some fun and support a worthy cause.
For tickets contact my sister Caitlin on 078 781 7833 or Keri on 082 778 6758.
Check out more about CHD awareness at heartkids.co.za
My sincerest gratitude to all the kind folks who have been a part or who have contributed to Jaden’s journey (financially, emotionally, spiritually).
Also, a ginormous shout-out to the surgeons, doctors and nurses who ensured that this hero is still here today.
Heroes!
With wholehearted love,
LG
* Please note that this is an opinion piece and that the views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Benoni City Times or Caxton Newspapers.
Check out some other blogs from this writer:
LG’s A to Z of a South African road trip
Things I learned in the Fair Cape
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