Thank you parents!

• by kayak.eric
• 2014-04-09 12:04:36
• General Posting
• 1595 views
• 3 comments

To all parents of kids with ICDs and pacemakers:

Thanks for your love and support of your child.

I am a 22 years old with Long QT and an ICD. I was diagnosed when I was 13 or 14 and got my ICD when I was 15. It was hell. I was very active. Before all this happened, I kayaked, biked, ran, snowboarded, and was generally energetic (hyper) and active like any young male. It killed me when I was first diagnosed. Initially, because of my diagnosis, doctors basically told me I couldn't do anything. I couldn't swim, I couldn't bike, couldn't run. Nothing physical. That summer was miserable. My parents had to deal with a pubescent male that wasn't allowed to do any of the things that made him happy...

But they stuck with me and got things worked out and after about a year, I was able to go kayaking and swimming and all the things I loved again. The month before my ICD was put in, I went on a week long canoe trip and a week long kayak trip.

6 years later, I am just as active and about to graduate college and. Looking back on my life as I am about to enter the 'real world', I can see for the first time just how much my parents did for me. I don't think I thanked them enough at the time.

I just want to say thank you to all parents who are dealing with all the stress and frustration of the process on behalf of myself and all kids going through it. Even though it may not always seem like it, we love you and appreciate everything you are doing for us!