My family has been blessed in so many ways...but the one most important blessing has been that Jessica has been doing wonderfully over the past 18 years...not to say their weren't struggles during the first five years of Jessica's life...but once we made it through the Fontan procedure, everything has been smooth sailing.

   Jessica is now completing her last year of High School and has made many friends along the way. She has spent a lot of time this year in school, working with some of the students who attend Special Ed classes...and they all enjoy Jessica's warm and friendly personality. One of the students in Jessica's adaptive PE class runs up to greet her everyday, with a big smile and warm embrace. Jessica seems to have a special way in communication with her in that this student is deaf...and through sign language, has taught Jessica some signing. I have encouraged Jessica to pursue this and hopefully she will continue on and perhaps someday become a translator in the art of American Sign Language.

   Another thing I am very proud of as a mother, is that Jessica has landed a job!! She has begun to work in our local mall at a store called Anchor Blue! These steps may seem small to some, but for us parents who have children born with HLHS, we know the hurdles...heartaches...but most importantly the triumphs that our kids are able to accomplish...from their first steps, to their first jobs.

Life is good...and through Gods healing hands...will remain this way for a long time to come.