Founder's Warrior
Amelia
She is the reason Invisible Warriors exists.
Amelia was born with a congenital heart defect that went undetected for an entire year. Despite repeated concerns and clear red flags, her condition was missed by multiple doctors. Just days after her first birthday, she became critically ill. What began as a viral infection quickly turned into heart failure.
She was diagnosed three days after her first birthday — on World Heart Day.
What followed revealed more than a medical failure. It exposed the gaps families are left to navigate alone: missed diagnoses, dismissed concerns, and the emotional aftermath no one prepares you for. After the crisis, families are often sent home expected to move forward as if nothing has changed — even when everything has.
Invisible Warriors was created so no family has to face the gaps our child did — gaps in medical awareness, emotional support, and meaningful resources during the most critical moments of a child’s life.
What began as a fight to keep one child alive became a mission to change the reality for heart families everywhere.
Her story is one of many. Every child with CHD is a warrior... A Heart Warrior.
Ari — “Lion of God”
Ari, whose name means “Lion of God,” has already proven just how fitting that name is.
He was born on March 23, 2023, weighing 8 pounds 4 ounces. Everything seemed perfect — until just a few hours after his birth. While holding him and trying to feed him, I noticed his breathing was raspy and labored. When I brought this up, a nurse initially dismissed my concerns as normal for newborns. But as his breathing worsened, a nurse finally listened to my instincts.
What followed is a blur: machines, oxygen, medical staff rushing in and out, and my baby being taken away abruptly. Hours later, we learned that Ari was born with a very rare heart defect and needed emergency surgery at another hospital. In shock, we were sent home to pack bags and prepare for the unknown.
Ari was meant to be here with us. At three days old, he underwent his first heart surgery and fought with incredible strength. But this was just the beginning. For the first four months of his life, Ari was repeatedly hospitalized — on and off oxygen and feeding tubes, undergoing countless tests, x-rays, transfusions, and never being able to experience the outside world. He missed being held, rocked to sleep, and simply living the fresh, new life he deserved.
Finally, bringing him home was the next greatest gift. Even while quarantined and struggling with feeding, Ari never gave up. He skipped crawling and began walking just before his first birthday — a true testament to his strength and resilience.
His Glenn procedure followed shortly after, and this time we were able to return home just ten days later.
Today, Ari is almost three years old and continues to amaze us. He works diligently with Speech and OT Therapists twice a week to overcome developmental delays, and every milestone is a blessing. His smile, intelligence, and endurance inspire everyone around him.
We are currently awaiting his next heart surgery, scheduled for next year. Until then, we continue to fight alongside Ari and will never give up.
Mathew
Mathew was born with cor triatriatum, a very rare congenital heart defect. While thankfully fixable, it posed serious challenges from the start.
At just three months old, Mathew faced life-threatening complications from his condition. Though he struggled through his earliest days, his spirit and courage were undeniable.
Today, at 15 months, Mathew continues to inspire his family and everyone who knows his story. His journey is a testament to the strength and resilience of all children with congenital heart defects.
Mathew’s story reminds us that every heart warrior is remarkable, and that even the rarest conditions deserve awareness, understanding, and support.
Bryson Ivann Ralston
In loving memory: 3.5.25 – 3.31.25
Bryson’s life, though brief, shone with incredible courage and love. Diagnosed at 20 weeks with multiple congenital heart defects — including TGA, moderate VSD, mildly hypoplastic right ventricle, and Ebstein’s Anomaly with severe leakage — Bryson began his fight long before he was born.
Born on March 5, 2025, at 2:44 AM, weighing 6 lbs 2 oz, Bryson was immediately taken to the NICU. Though his heart was sick, his presence was perfect. Bryson was a rainbow baby, a light after the heartbreak of miscarriage, and a source of hope for his mother during a dark time.
Bryson underwent a 19-hour surgery at just six days old, and despite facing life-threatening complications — including ECMO, clots, and fluid overload — he held on bravely for 20 more days. On March 31, 2025, Bryson passed away, leaving behind a legacy of courage and love.
Though his time was short, Bryson’s life impacted all who knew him. He saved his mother’s heart, brought light to his family, and reminded everyone that every heart warrior, no matter how brief their journey, is extraordinary.
We honor Bryson’s fight. We honor his life. We honor the love that will always carry his name.
Forever remembered. Forever loved.
Ariya James
Tiny but unstoppable
Ariya is currently 16 months old and was born with HLHS (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome) and severe AVS. Her life has been a series of mountains to climb, but she has faced every challenge with determination and courage.
Her journey began at just six days old with the Norwood procedure. What followed was a whirlwind of hurdles, including a Sano stent, an emergency BTT shunt after developing hypoxemia, and the terrifying complication of a blood clot. For weeks, her chest remained open as she fought through each setback.
After six months in the hospital, Ariya finally returned home. In May, she successfully underwent her Glenn procedure. Her recovery included three months on oxygen and a follow-up heart catheterization, and she has now been home for six months, thriving. This summer, she will have a catheterization to help plan her next surgery, the Fontan procedure.
From weaning off heavy medications to her current goal of transitioning from a G-tube to eating by mouth, Ariya never stops pushing forward. She is a true fighter, proving every day that heart warriors are unstoppable.
Jace
The heart of a warrior: tiny but mighty
Jace is a twin whose journey began before birth. At his 20-week scan, his family learned he has Isolated Dextrocardia, meaning his heart is on the right side of his chest instead of the usual left. Initially, doctors said this wouldn’t be an issue, but follow-up testing revealed additional congenital heart defects, including TAPVR to the coronary sinus and two septal defects (ASD and VSD).
Born on September 11, 2025, Jace faced immediate challenges. He was transferred via Life Flight to Iowa City Stead Children’s Hospital, where he spent 33 days awaiting open-heart surgery. During that time, he experienced collapsed lungs, heart failure, and multiple life-support measures. His surgery was unprecedented — no known cases existed for his unique anatomy — but the surgical team was confident, and Jace fought bravely.
On October 14, 2025, Jace underwent open-heart surgery to reroute his pulmonary veins and repair the septal defects. The surgery was a success, and he spent several weeks recovering in the hospital, relearning to breathe and eat while his family stayed by his side.
Now home, Jace continues to grow stronger every day. He still has a feeding tube and regular check-ups, but he is thriving and proves that even the smallest warriors can overcome enormous challenges.
Priscilla
Priscilla’s journey began on December 29, 2024, when she was born at 35 weeks + 1 day gestation. Though she was low birthweight for a gestational diabetic baby, a heart murmur was detected within 24 hours, prompting a cardiology evaluation and echocardiogram. She was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve with moderate stenosis, which required a week-long NICU stay for monitoring.
After discharge, follow-up was scheduled for a month later. At the appointment on January 29, 2025, her condition was deemed critical, but her doctors initially wanted to “watch and wait.” Her family insisted on a second opinion, which confirmed she could not wait. She underwent a balloon catheterization on February 20, 2025, reducing her stenosis from critical to mild, with mild-to-moderate regurgitation.
Since then, she has been closely monitored with monthly and later quarterly follow-ups, and her condition is now stable enough for six-month check-ups. Her cardiologist is hopeful she can remain stable until age six, at which point she may receive an adult valve replacement, giving her the best long-term outcome.
Priscilla’s story is a reminder that heart warriors grow stronger every day, and that vigilant care, advocacy, and early action can make all the difference.
Christian Jerry
Christian’s journey began as a miracle. After years of being told his mother wouldn’t be able to have children, his parents finally welcomed him following a positive pregnancy test. At 20 weeks gestation, concerns about his heart led to a specialist evaluation, and by 22 weeks, Christian was diagnosed with HLHS (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome) and DILV.
Christian’s parents faced multiple trips to the children’s hospital — 3.5 hours away — and underwent 1–3 stress tests per week for three months leading up to his birth. Born at 39 weeks after 37 hours of labor via C-section due to heart rate complications, Christian was immediately taken for evaluation. His parents could only touch the top of his head and hear his first cry.
On day 1, Christian’s diagnoses were confirmed. By day 4, he underwent his first open-heart surgery. Recovery was difficult — he remained on a ventilator longer than expected, and feeding was a challenge, requiring an NG tube. After 28 days in the hospital, he finally returned home.
At 2.5 months, Christian experienced his first seizure, requiring emergency transfer to the children’s hospital by ambulance. At 6 months, he underwent his Glenn procedure, recovering quickly and leaving the hospital on room air after just five days. Intensive therapy helped him progress from a sleepy, immobile newborn to an active and engaged 7-month-old.
By 9 months, he transitioned from tube feeding to taking bottles, quickly increasing his intake from 0 oz to 26 oz per day. Around 10 months, sleep challenges required monitoring with supplemental oxygen, which he has only needed once.
Now at 13 months old, Christian is trying to walk, eats a wide variety of foods, continues to gain weight, and radiates joy and determination. His parents describe him as a tiny warrior with a huge heart, inspiring them every day with his resilience and courage.
Christian’s story is a testament to the strength of heart warriors and their families, showing that even the smallest fighters can achieve incredible milestones.
Gracie
Gracie was born following a healthy pregnancy, with no issues detected during scans or check-ups. Although her birth was smooth, she struggled immediately: her heart rate was low and she was blue, requiring 11 minutes of resuscitation. Once she stabilized in her parents’ arms, they thought the worst was over.
Early check-ups showed everything was fine, and the family was cleared to go home. However, subtle signs began to worry her parents: her skin was constantly mottled, her hands and arms sometimes appeared purple, and her breathing occasionally seemed labored. Despite raising concerns multiple times, they were repeatedly dismissed as normal newborn variations.
At 23 days old, her mother reached out to a specialist she had researched herself. With no referral from her local doctors, she ultimately sought a private pediatrician at 4 months old, who confirmed a referral to cardiology. During a hospital admission at 4 weeks for bronchiolitis/RSV, Gracie’s heart murmur was discovered, leading to further evaluation.
At 12 weeks, an echocardiogram confirmed pulmonary artery stenosis. While this condition has a good prognosis and may self-resolve, it was a long journey to diagnosis filled with uncertainty, questions, and parental advocacy.
Throughout her journey, Gracie’s parents emphasize the importance of trusting your gut as a parent — they knew something was wrong even when professionals initially dismissed their concerns. Their persistence ensured Gracie received the care she needed.
Gracie’s story also highlights the role of early intervention and awareness. Her mother, a midwife, uses her experience to advocate for newborn screening and early detection, ensuring other families receive the attention and support they deserve.
While Gracie’s diagnosis is on the milder end of the CHD spectrum, her family is committed to raising awareness and support for all heart warriors, reminding parents that every struggle, every concern, every story matters.
Regina
Regina was diagnosed prenatally with DiGeorge syndrome and Tetralogy of Fallot, beginning her journey as a true heart warrior before she even entered the world. Since birth, she has undergone two heart catheterizations, a major open-heart surgery, and two additional procedures — one for her throat and another for her G-tube.
Regina continues to fight for her heart and lung health, working diligently in feeding therapy to learn to swallow, and demonstrating resilience and determination every day.
Her joy, courage, and unwavering spirit make her a tiny warrior with a huge heart, inspiring her family and everyone who follows her story.
Rowan
Rowan’s journey began in the womb. At 30 weeks gestation, he was diagnosed with DORV, VSD, PFO, and malposition of the great arteries. After birth, additional complications were discovered, including pulmonary atresia. Born at 34 weeks, Rowan spent 28 days in the NICU, during which he also developed NEC of the colon due to perfusion issues.
At 1 month old, Rowan underwent a catheterization procedure to place a PDA stent, which maintains blood flow to his lungs. He is now 4 months old and preparing for another catheterization as part of planning his full repair this spring.
Despite being small, Rowan is a mighty heart warrior, showing resilience and strength every step of the way. His story is a reminder of the courage and determination of every child born with CHD and the families who fight alongside them.