Today marks the one year anniversary of Olivia’s fontan. We are celebrating by Olivia having cupcakes with her friends at school and depending on scheduling we’ll be taking her out to dinner. She requested Outback as she LOVES their green beans.

In honor of this special day, I sent this to CCMC’s website (there’s a “contact us” link), Dr. Heller, Dr. Friedman, and Dr. Mello.

A year ago there was a little girl who was three. She was very limited in her activities. She couldn’t walk up the driveway. A flight of stairs would leave her winded. Blue lips, purple fingers and toes were the norm.

March 24, 2008 changed all that. That was the day of Olivia Belfonti’s Fontan (heart surgery) at CT Children’s Medical Center. Within two weeks she was running UP the driveway. She could sprint 3/4 of a mile. She runs down the driveway, arms extended and says “I can FLY!” while her blonde hair flies behind her.

The little girl who was limited now takes swim lessons and attends gymnastics class. She has boundless energy. She bounces and twirls around the house nonstop to the point that we actually ask her to stop jumping. And then we laugh and rejoice that she CAN jump and twirl.

If you are reading this, you are to thank for all of this. You gave us this amazing child and saved her three times. You’ve allowed us to be a complete family. One who will never take anything for granted.

From the bottom of our hearts we thank you, thank you, thank you.

Life is good.