A girl who was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a rare genetic disorder that caused her left heart to be underdeveloped, got a chance to play with snow after missing their family vacation.
Firefighter Adam Walker’s daughter, Quinn, got the surprise from the Casa Grande Police Department (CGPD). The firefighters brought the snow to the child as Quinn was advised not to travel because it would put too much strain on her heart, the fire department stated on its official Facebook page on Jan. 4.
Quinn is apparently preparing for her third surgery thus explaining her inability to travel, according to CGPD’s newsletter. As a solution, the fire department placed around 4,500 kilograms (5 tons) of snow in the Walker family’s driveway, which gave Quinn and her siblings a chance to play in the snow.
Quinn’s mother Sandee also expressed her gratitude to the firefighter’s efforts, as seen on the public group Quinn Walker #QuinnStrong HLHS on Facebook on Jan. 4.
“So many amazing people came together to have snow made in our driveway for Quinn!” Sandee said. “We can’t take her to the snow so the snow came to her! She loved it.”
Quinn wore a leopard-printed coat while in the snow with her father. It appears that Quinn’s siblings were also able to join in on the snow party; they apparently even made a snowman. Quinn also chilled out in an inflatable pool float with her pink stuffed animal.
Sandee also shared that Quinn’s third open-heart surgery is due in April, as per her post on Facebook today, Jan. 22. The mom said these days Quinn is “a little bit more purple” and needs to be on oxygen when she is out of breath.
The two-year-old is also diagnosed with medical post-traumatic stress disorder after being in and out of the lab. But despite the uncertainty of Quinn’s future, her mother could not help but express her admiration for her daughter.
“I am so proud of everything this little one has gone through,” Sandee said. “She is tough. She is feisty. And she is such a sweetie.” NVG
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