Hi, my name is Evelyn, but I go by Evie.
I was born with Turner Syndrome and a hole in my heart. I was not diagnosed with the hole in the heart until I was fourteen years old, though. I did not have a good home life, so I went awhile before I was even checked out by a doctor.
I had emergency surgery in February, 1983. I had a stroke a month later. A year later i was put into a foster home so that I could receive the care I needed. Despite all my health issues and learning disabilities, I was able to graduate high school.
At the age of 21, I had to have another open heart surgery due to having an aneurysm on my aortic arch, and I had to have my arotic value replaced. This surgery put my heart into heart failure, and I was told a year later that I needed a heart transplant.
At the age of 32, I received my gift of life. A year after my transplant, I met my donor’s family. Amber was 15 1/2 years old when she gave me her heart. That was April 16, 2001. With the gift of life, I have been busy volunteering for Donate Life Arizona and Tranplant Community Allience, and I have been to four Transplant Games.
I almost didn’t make the Games this summer in Alabama because of some health issues. I had a knnee surgery in October, then two days later i had a hole in my bowel, and had to have emergency surgery: I was 95% septic. When I woke up, my goal was to go to the Transplant Games, and I was able to go!
Every day I thank God and Amber that I am still here. Now my future goal is to make it to 25 years out and that I can be part of the Quarter Century Club at the next transplant games.
Keep living life to the fullest.
