This is the very first Town Hall Meeting for The CHC Podcast. Our theme in this episode is “Feeling Different” and it’s no surprise that people born with a congenital heart defect/condition might grow up feeling different. Whether they had their first surgery as an infant and thus always had a scar on their chest, unlike most people, or if they didn’t discover for years that they had a heart condition, people whose hearts function differently from people with anatomically normal hearts will feel different. They may have differences in exercise tolerance, they’ll possibly have difficulty in extreme changes in elevations, and they probably won’t have the same endurance as people born with anatomically perfect hearts.

But what does that mean? In this episode, Hearts Unite the Globe Patrons, and Volunteers come together to discuss what that means to them. They’ll discuss some very specific ways they feel different — Jason Crutchley discusses what it means for him to require a heart transplant AND a liver transplant. Allison Holmes talks about surviving open-heart surgery and cancer. Leslie Castro talks about living with a congenital heart condition as a military spouse.

Co-Hosts, Annie Ulchak and Scott Salvaggio also share their own unique perspectives and problems. All of these adult heart warriors also share hard-earned wisdom and advice with Listeners. The second segment features questions and stories from HUG Patrons heart dad Frank Jaworski, heart warrior Hope Jaworski, and heart dad Michael Liben.

In the final segment of the show, Co-Producers, heart mom Anna Jaworski and heart warrior Nicholle Bilodeau talk about what surprised them about the show and what they learned. They also share some of their own personal experiences.


Many thanks to Myles Schweitzer -- the Wild Mooseman Band for our music. We love you, Myles!

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