Heart Warrior and Author..Allison Holmes

Good Morning Friends, today I have with me Allison Holmes, she is part of our heart community and she just wrote an essay for a book project for the heart community as well. The book is called The Heart of A Heart Warrior, and her is her story and journey with God and CHD...

WOG: Hello and welcome.. Allison, let's start with how did you come to get involved with the heart community?

A.:H For many years I didn’t know anyone with CHD. When I was 45 years old I attended a conference with the ACHA. It was then that I met my first heart sister and my desire to become more involved with the CHD community was born. Not long after, I became a peer mentor with the ACHA.

WOG: What was it like for you growing up with CHD?

A.H: It was rather normal. I came from a big family and for the most part I tried to keep up with my siblings and lead a normal life. There were some times I couldn’t but I would rest and then get back out there with my siblings. My surgeries were at a young age, except for the last one at age 19 so my health issues were not as obvious to my siblings.

WOG: How do you feel about being a part of Anna new book.. The Heart of A Heart Warrior?

A.H: I feel honored and grateful. I think it is going to be a wonderful tool for bringing a sense of community to CHD folks who do not know anyone like themselves. I talk to folks like this often as a Peer Mentor. I am so happy to share with them about the book as well as social media platforms where they can join into the CHD community so they do not feel so alone.

WOG: If you could speak at a place about CHD where would you like it to be? School, hospital, or foundations?

A.H: I would be happy to speak at any of these places about CHD. I am a bit shy so I’d have to get over that. I’d love to talk to nurses/doctors in training to share with them how common CHD is. THey do not get much training in the area of congenital heart defects. I think this is a disservice to them due to it being one of the most common birth defects. I would also like to speak to schools, to the kids to bring awareness there.

WOG: What are you most thankful for? I am thankful for many things. I will share just a few. A.H: I am thankful for my faith. I don’t think I could have endured life with CHD without faith in God. I am thankful for modern medicine, which I feel is a gift from God. I am thankful for a supportive and loving husband. And I am thankful that I have the opportunity to help others through what I’ve experienced living with CHD. I feel this is my purpose, the reason I was born with CHD. To help those through what I have experienced, perhaps I can make it a bit easier for them.

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.1 Corinthians 1:4

And there you have it friends, Allison and her faith and her writing. Living with CHD is hard, but there are times like this when we know that God chose us for a reason and being able to share his words with others in rewarding. Thank you again, Allison for being here and thank you all for coming and supporting this website and my mission. As God's child, we do work in his honor and for his glory. My favorite bible verse...

“'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. '” — Jeremiah 29:11

hugs and blessings.... Wonder of Grace