A courageous life

Inspiration can be found in our corridors, the following is an account of a courageous boy in our Junior Prep. Read Caleb Thomas' story 

1 in every 100 children are born with congenital heart defects.

I was one of them…  I was born on the 9th of March 2010 at 1.4kg

and I was diagnosed with Atrial Ventricular Septal Defect, Dextrocardia,

Pulmonary Atresia and Situs Inversis.  In every-day terms, I was born with

an extremely complex heart defect, with my heart having only 3

chambers (not 4), my pulmonary arteries were not properly formed

and not properly attached to the heart and lungs.  My heart was situated on

the right side of my chest (and not the left) and my other major internal

organs were all on the wrong sides of my body and in some cases, back to front!

I am a true medical phenomenon and a MIRACLE from God!  I have conquered

several heart procedures amongst which were two major open heart

surgeries.  I am meant to have at-least one other open heart surgery

however, to have this operation, I must pass strict requirements and

at this stage, I have not.  This may mean that one day, I will need a new heart! 

Sadly, not enough people and hardly any children have been

registered as heart donors.  I know that God will make a way

for me one day when he decides it’s time for me to get my

new heart!  Today is my HAPPY HEART DAY.  All heart warriors

celebrate the anniversary of their very first open heart surgery and

today is the anniversary of mine!  Please will you think of me today and

spare a thought for my other heart buddies who have lost their fight

due to the lack of organ donors – and honour them today by registering yourself

and your children as organ donors!  I am only 6 years old and I have seen first-hand

how hard all the heart warriors fight – it is not an easy battle.  It is scary and

painful and I have lost a number of friends to this battle already! 

Although my journey has been hard, I feel extremely blessed that

God has chosen Me and my family to travel this journey.  Our lives have been

touched by kindness and faithfulness and it has been a true honour to

witness the determination by my fellow heart warriors to continue to be happy

and faithful no matter how hard their struggle is!  I am proud of everything

I have overcome and I wear my scars with pride!

For those of you who continue to keep me and my heart

buddies in your prayers, I am eternally grateful – and to those of

you who feel moved to register as organ donors today – God Bless You!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

CALEB JAMES THOMAS