What happens when your child's heart diagnosis becomes the catalyst for helping hundreds of other families?

Connor Hill, co-founder of the Stronger Hearts Foundation, joins the show to share his family's journey with CHD — from the terrifying early days with their son Dawson to creating an organization that provides care packages, housing support, and resources for families navigating the same path.

In Part 1, we talk about Dawson's incredible progress, the gut-check moments that inspired the foundation, and the real challenges families face during extended hospital stays. Connor gets honest about navigating medical emergencies and the toll it takes on everyone involved.

Stay tuned for Part 2 — where we dig into relationships, communication, and how couples can either break or grow stronger through the CHD journey.

Learn more about Stronger Hearts Foundation: http://strongerheartsfoundation.com/

Contacts: The 1% Heart — onepercentheart.com • Instagram @theCHDpodcast • Email: support@onepercentheart.com

Disclaimer & Trigger Warning: Nothing in this episode constitutes medical advice. These are personal experiences, opinions, and stories. This podcast contains honest discussions of medical trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

Keywords: congenital heart defects, Stronger Hearts Foundation, NICU, parenting, CHD family support, heart surgery, CHD awareness

The ripple effects of one 1952 surgery are still being felt today. In this final part, we explore the awareness gap that leaves thousands of CHD patients without proper care, the difference between congenital and acquired heart disease that even doctors confuse, and why Bill has spent years making sure other patients don't fall through the cracks.

Bill reflects on what CHD means to him after 73 years, Dr. Taussig's work that made his life possible, and his mother's wisdom that shaped everything: "You're different, but you're not special."

This episode is about the legacy of Blalock, Taussig, and Thomas - not just in medical journals, but in every patient who gets to grow up because of what they pioneered.

Keywords: CHD awareness, congenital heart legacy, patient advocacy, adult congenital heart care, Blalock-Taussig-Thomas, living with heart defects, cardiac patient stories

What happens after you survive a surgery that wasn't supposed to work? Bill Causey didn't just survive - he thrived. Law school, 34 years teaching at Georgetown, marriage, family, and a career that impacted thousands.

In Part 2, Bill shares what it was like navigating decades of cardiac care, the deeply personal letter from Dr. Taussig that said "hearing from you warmed my heart," and why he's devoted years to adult congenital heart advocacy. We also dive into the critical difference between pediatric and adult congenital care - and why 80% of cardiologists aren't trained to treat adult CHD patients.

This episode tackles access to care, the mental weight of living with something you can't cure, and what doctors told Bill for 73 years straight: "You're going to need a valve replacement." Spoiler: He still hasn't.

Keywords: adult congenital heart disease, ACHA, pediatric to adult transition, CHD advocacy, cardiac care access, living with CHD, valve replacement, congenital heart awareness