JOSEPHINE’S JOURNEY

At 7 weeks old, Josephine was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition called pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS — a rare, progressive, and serious condition in which there is a blockage in the blood vessels that brings blood from the lungs back to the heart). Josephine’s story is an amazing triumph, journeying from little hope of survival to a thriving child. By the age of 2 and a half, she had undergone 2 open heart surgeries, 13 heart catheterizations, and had a pacemaker placed. She received up to 14 doses of medication per day, depended on a G-tube for nutrition, and participated in multiple weekly therapies during this time period.

Presently, the disease is stable, and she receives all nutrition by mouth, and minimal medications. Josephine adores time with her big sisters, exploring in nature with her family, and just being a kid. We attribute this success to the Divine Orchestration of the dedicated medical teams that have cared so well for her, and of the answered Prayers through the Love and support she has been blessed to receive from family, friends, and strangers. Josephine’s life has helped pave a path of hope and potential for children with PVS. At Lady Josephine Foundation, we know from experience that PVS is a life-threatening condition, but we also believe PVS is shifting from a terminal diagnosis to a chronic disease through the work of brave families, caring doctors, and specific research.