Yesterday I had my first
Littlest Heroes session with little Christopher. He is absolutely adorable with his sweet curls and big blue eyes.
Christopher Pena was born in April 2008 with non-compacted cardiomyopathy, which is a symptom of having Barth Syndrome. You would not be able to tell that he has a condition by looking at him. He is otherwise a very healthy looking child.
Brothers.
Given six months to live, Christopher celebrated his 2nd birthday in April.
The Pena family has put all of their hope and faith in God and gives Him all the glory for Christopher's miraculous life.
The Pena family is currently raising funds so that they can attend the 2010 Barth Syndrome International Scientific, Medical & Family Conference in Orlando, FL July 26. If you would like to donate, please click on the following link.
http://www.wishuponahero.com/wishes/?id=554563
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Christopher Pena was born in April 2008 with non-compacted cardiomyopathy. Non-compacted cardiomyopathy is a very rare condition in which the heart muscle remains sponge-like after birth, which causes the heart to be very weak. Christopher's cardiomyopathy affects his right and left ventricles where it is very hard for his heart to pump and function correctly.
Christopher was not given very long to live. Six months at most When he was 45 days old, he was admitted into hospice care where he remained for 15 months. Christopher was released from hospice when an echo cardiogram showed that his heart function had tripled! And at 18 months, his heart function was almost normal.
In February 2010, it was discovered that Barth Syndrome is the cause of Christopher's cardiomyopathy. There is no specific treatment for Barth syndrome, but each of the individual problems can be successfully controlled.
Given a life span of 6 months or less, Christopher celebrated his 2nd birthday this past April. The Pena family gives all glory to God for their little hero's miraculous life!
More articles about Christopher can be read on the following links:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cj08/mystory
http://congenital-heart-defects.co.uk/ChristopherPenawithleftventricularnoncompactionCardiomyopathy.aspx
http://articles.complexchild.com/Feb2010/00187.html
To donate so Christopher's name can be on the Kenny Wallace CHD NASCAR:
http://www.change.org/chloe_duyck_memorial_fund/projects/fundraising/sponsor_christopher
