Melissa
I am a 35 year old stay-at-home Mom with five children ranging in ages from twelve to two. My cardiac kid is five year old Tyson, born with Tricuspid Atresia and Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome.
Since Tyson’s birth in 2008, I have made it my mission to raise awareness about CHD in my church and small-town community of Shelburne, ON and surrounding area. Every year I meet with the town mayor for the official declaration of
February 14th as CHD Awareness Day. I participate in community events to raise awareness about CHD and submit articles and pictures to local newspapers to help spread awareness. I have also spear-headed a local online support group for heart families in my community, and my Facebook page is often filled with news or stats about the heart and advances being made in medical technology.
Between raising five children in a busy household, helping my husband run our carpentry business, and keeping up with all Tyson’s specialist appointments, there’s rarely a dull moment in our house. I enjoy cooking, baking cookies with my kids, sleeping in on Saturday mornings, and spending quality time with my family. Moments to myself are rare, but when I do have free time I enjoy listening to music, singing, shopping and scrapbooking. I am active in my church community and volunteer every week at my children’s school. I myself am an avid blogger and feel that blogging is a stress-reliever because I can ‘fill my paper with the breathings of my heart.’ You can read about my son’s journey at www.tysonmatthewkottelenberg.blogspot.com.
Want to send Melissa a message? Email her directly at blog@cardiackids.ca
Cardiac Kids 