Anna Marie Jaworski , author of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: A Handbook for Parents and My Brother Needs an Operation , and editor of The Heart of a Mother. Anna is the mother of two sons, Joseph (heart healthy) and Alexander (HLHS) and the wife of Frank Jaworski. See Anna's sons Joseph and Alexander Jaworski on their page!

John Calhoon, M.D., author of the Foreword. John Calhoon, M.D. is the Associate Professor and Head of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

Teresa Sorlie, author of Matthew's Story. Teresa is the mother of three beautiful children: Megan (heart-healthy), Matthew (HLHS; transplant) and Colton. Teresa's chapter involves Matthew's birth, HLHS diagnosis, wait for the transplant and successful transplant surgery and journey back home.

Sarah Lualdi Moran , author of the Foreword. Sarah is a social worker at Boston Children's Hospital. She works as a Family Education Coordinator in the Center for Families.

Tracy Adams, author of A Mommy's Feelings, a poem in the Mothers in the Hospital chapter.

Caroline Ahrens, author of God Doesn't Make Mistakes, an essay in the Discovering Heart Defects in Utero, and Developmental Delays--Physical, an essay in the Special Problems, Special Solutions chapter. Caroline is the mother of Hannah (HLHS) and Caroline (HH).

Kari Barr, author of Letting Go, an essay in the HLHS Care Options chapter. Kari is the mother of Matthew (HLHS) and Lindsey (HH).

Becky Blauvelt, author of A Healthy Baby, an essay in the Mothers With Congenital Heart Defects chapter. Becky has TGA.

Edward L. Bove, M.D., author of the Foreword. Edward Bove, M.D. is the head of Cardiovascular Surgery at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Karen Brandle, author of My Special Son, an essay in The Life Givers chapter. Karen is the mother of Nicholas (HH), Daelan (PDA, coarctation, sub aortic stenosis, mitral and aortic valve regurgitation) and Katrina (complex heart defect).

Deanna Brennan, author of A Birthday Reminiscence, an essay in the Life After Surgery chapter. Deanna is the mother of Ashley (HH) and Tyler (Noonan's syndrome).

Deirdre Bronchick, author of An Angel's Cause, an essay in the Shooting Stars chapter. Deirdre is the mother of Paige (subpulmonary VSD, ASD, stenotic pulmonary and aortic valves, stenotic pulmonary arteries and large aortopulmonary window) and twins, Claire and Kylie.

Lenore Cameron, author of Saving Our Children Through Educating Ourselves, an essay in the Teaching Others, Learning Ourselves chapter. Lenore is the mother of Matthew (HH) and Jeffrey (HLHS).

Linda McAdam Cancilla, author of Supporting a Mother's Love, an essay in the Grandmothers' Stories chapter. Linda is the grandmother of Mark (HH) and Tyler (HLHS).

Deb Chapman, author of Having a Healthy Baby, an essay in the Life After Surgery chapter. Deb is mother to Paul (double outlet right ventricle, TGA, hypoplastic right/left ventricles, superior/inferior ventricles, VSD, pulmonary stenosis, hypoplastic mitral valve), Taralyn (HH) and Michael (HH).

Lyn Chappell, author of Running the Race--Australia, an essay in the Moms Around the World chapter. Lyn is mom to Belinda (HH) and Luke (double outlet right ventricle, pulmonary stenosis, large VSD).

Tricia Christensen , author of How to be an Advocate, an essay in the Mothers as Advocates chapter. Tricia is the mother of Gerard (dextrocardia, pulmonary stenosis, complicated TGA and large VSD).

Joanne Clarkson, author of Being Strong for Teresa, an essay in the Grandmothers' Stories chapter. Joanne is the grandmother of Megan (HH), Matthew (HLHS) and Colton (HH).

Amanda Eason, author of Happy Lifeday, Little Angel, an essay in the HLHS Care Options chapter. Amanda is the mother of Jacob (HLHS; transplant).

Deb Gilmore, author of My Candle in the Wind, an essay in the Shooting Stars chapter. Deb is the mother of Matthew (complex CHD) and Brandon (HH).

* Cheryl Goldstein, author of When Milestones Become Miracles, an essay in the Rites of Passage chapter. Cheryl is the mother of Ryan (tetralogy of Fallot).

Shiloh Hanshew, author of Overseas with the Air Force, an essay in the Military Moms chapter. Shiloh is the mother of Joshua (HH) and Megan (tricuspid atresia).

Jan Heckman, author of My Shooting Star, an essay in the Shooting Stars chapter. Jan is the mother of Katie (HH) and Adam (HLHS).

Jasmina Henderson-Rauter, author of A Light in my Life--New Zealand, an essay in the Mothers Around the World chapter. Jasmina is the mother of Mikey (HH) and Tjas (TGA).

Beth Hutchinson, author of Summer Camp, an essay in the Rites of Passage chapter. Beth is the mother of Kaitlin (pulmonary atresia, ASD and hypoplastic right ventricle) and Rachel (HH).

Jeanne Imperati, author of My Son, Heart and Soul, an essay in The Life Givers chapter. Jeanne is the mother of Fran (HH) and Michael (HH), Matt (HLHS), Jenn (Angelman's Syndrome), Bobby (tetralogy of Fallot), and a score of foster children.

Anna Jaworski, author of Developmental Delays--Speech and Language, an essay in the Special Problems, Special Solutions chapter; A Tribute to My Mother, an essay in the Grandmothers' Stories chapter; Seeing Myself as an Advocate, an essay in the Mothers as Advocates chapter; and An Anniversary, an essay in the Life After Surgery chapter. Anna is the mother of two sons, Joseph (HH) and Alexander (HLHS) and the wife of Frank Jaworski.

Arlyn Kerr, author of Moving Day, an essay in the Rites of Passage chapter. Arlyn is the mother of Julie (complex heart defect) and David (HH).

Mary Kay Klein, author of Karen's New Car, an essay in the Rites of Passage chapter. Mary Kay is the mother of Karen (truncus arteriosis).

Dolly Lee, author of Face of a Child, a poem in the Shooting Stars chapter. Dolly Lee is the mom to Brady (HH) and Andrew (hypertropic cardiomyopathy)

Beate Lemmer, author of A Miracle--Germany, an essay in the Mothers Around the World chapter. Beate is the mother of Mareike (tetralogy of Fallot).

Kelley Madden, author of A Letter to Ethan, an essay in the HLHS Care Options chapter. Kelley is the mother of Ethan (HH).

Anita Moreno Marcelo, author of Taking Care of Things, an essay in the More than a Mom chapter. Anita is the mother of Gabriele (tetralogy of Fallot) and Jaime (HH).

Dawn Martin, author of The Right Heart for Travis, an essay in the HLHS Care Options chapter. Dawn is the mother of Travis (HLHS; transplant).

* Allison Matthews, author of A Baby for Allison, an essay in the Mothers With Congenital Heart Defects chapter. Allison has single ventricle, TGA and pulmonary atresia.

Susanne Mühlhaus, author of A Saint for Sebastian--United Kingdom, an essay in the Mothers Around the World chapter. Susanne is the mother of Sebastian (aortic stenosis and bicuspid aortic valve).

Bonnie Munden, author of Hope in Tomorrow, an essay in The Life Givers chapter. Bonnie is the grandmother of Adriane (HH) and Caitlin (pulmonary atresia, ASDs, VSDs, transposition of the great arteries and heterotaxy).

Jennifer Nachbur, author of Feeding Problems, an essay in the Special Problems, Special Solutions chapter. Jennifer is the mother of William (HLHS).

Helen Ng, author of Chrysanthemums for Paesan--Singapore, an essay in the Moms Around the World chapter. Helen is the mother of Phaemie (HH), Phaelyn (HH), Paeman (HH), and Paesan (single ventricle, complex heart defect).

Judy Norwood, author of the Foreword. Judy Norwood was a great-grandmother with tetralogy of Fallot.

Christine Prior, author of A Brother for Markie, an essay in the Discovering Heart Defects in Utero. Christine is the mother of Tyler (HLHS) and Mark Prior (HH).

Karen Pritchett, author of A Stepmother's Story, an essay in the More Than a Mom chapter. Karen is the mother of Adam (HH), Amy (HH), Justin (HH), Jacob (HH) and Julie (HLHS).

Aleta Riesberg, author of 387 Pictures, an essay in the Shooting Stars chapter. Aleta is the mother of Sullivan (HLHS) and Adam (HH).

Patty Roswick, author of Finding the Good, an essay in the Mothers in the Hospital chapter. Patty is the mother of Meghan (HLHS).

Holly Scheyer , author of Supporting Sadie, an essay in the Mothers in the Hospital chapter. Holly is the mother of Sadie (HLHS).

Julie Schlapfer, author of Our Love for Alex, an essay in the Mothers in the Hospital chapter. Julie is the mother of Alex (HLHS).

Rita Scoggins , author of Victoria's Ski Trip, an essay in the Rites of Passage chapter. Rita is the mother of Bobby (HH), Christopher (HH) and Victoria (tricuspid atresia, coarctation, ASD, VSD).

Carol Self, author of Part of the Team, an essay in the Grandmothers' Stories chapter. Carol is the grandmother of Ashley (HH) and Ben (HLHS).

Jill Sorensen, author of Pioneer Woman, an essay in the HLHS Care Options chapter and Camp Del Corazon, an essay in the Rites of Passage chapter. Jill is the mother of Don (HH), Jon (HH) and Jeni (HLHS).

Edie Spears, author of Getting a Better Look, an essay in the Discovering Heart Defects in Utero. Edie is the mother of Michael (HLHS), Kaitlin (HH) and Jaimie (HH).

Gabriele Stiltner, author of In the Navy, an essay in the Military Moms chapter. Gabriele is the mother of John Loren (HH), Aaron Lee (HH) and Aimee (interrupted aortic arch, large VSD, ASD and DiGeorge Syndrome).

Carolyn Thompson, author of A Little Bit of Heaven--Canada, an essay in the Mothers Around the World chapter. Carolyn is the mother of Carrie (HH) and Cody (critical aortic stenosis).

Cindy Tishka, author of A Born Fighter, an essay in the HLHS Care Options chapter. Cindy is the mother of Anne Marie (HLHS).

Kerrie Van Eck , author of learning to Love and Trust God, an essay in the Discovering Heart Defects in Utero. Kerrie is the mother of Jonah (HLHS), Noah (HH) and Nicholas (HH).

Michelle Veschi, author of Mind Over Matter, an essay in the Mothers With Congenital Heart Defects chapter. Michelle has TGA, single ventricle and an enlarged pulmonary artery.

Brenda Vignaroli, author of Never More Than You Can Handle, an essay in the More Than a Mom chapter. Brenda is the mother of Cara (HH) and Jessica (HLHS).

Clarice Warrick, author of Allowing Jane to Focus on Marcus, an essay in the Grandmothers' Stories chapter. Clarice is the grandmother of Justis (HH), Lucas (HH) and Marcus (ventricular inversion, TGA, pulmonary atresia, VSD and diminutive right ventricle).

Rene Winters, author of Giving Tyler a Chance, an essay in the HLHS Care Options chapter. Rene is the mother of Joey (HH), Ryan Chase (SIDS) and Tyler (HLHS).

Carolyn Wise, author of Leading the Troops, an essay in the Mothers With Congenital Heart Defects chapter. Carolyn has a VSD and Eisenmenger's syndrome.

Lou Anne Wright, author of The Army Way of Life, an essay in the Military Moms chapter. Lou Anne is the mother of John (HH), Winona (HH) and Nicole (TGA).

(* indicates a pen name)

Frank Jaworski, RN , knew the moment Alex was placed in his hands in the delivery room that something was wrong. For the next two months, he pleaded with doctor after doctor to explain to him why his son breathed so hard (you could see a cleft in Alex's chest every time he breathed), but time and again he was told that nothing was wrong. Frank, a critical care nurse, was right. Alexander had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS).

Because of Frank's medical background, he was able to understand the information and extract the important details pertaining to his son. Frank was able to explain certain heart defects and surgical procedures to Anna Marie in a way that made it easy to understand. He drew simple line drawings to explain the important concepts. After Anna Marie was unable to find any other line drawings like his, he agreed to refine those drawings for inclusion in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: A Handbook for Parents .

Frank currently resides in Panama City Beach, where he is a graduate student at the Gooding Institute for Nurse Anesthesia. Aside from studying, Frank and his family belong to the local chess club, he is a member of the local homeschooling group, and he spends his other free time playing with his children and reading good books (or Power Ranger books, or whatever other books the boys bring him!).

Linda Ball has had a passion for art all of her life, yet began her career as a supplemental educator for children with learning differences and emotional challenges. Later, through her work as a Center Director with the Sylvan Learning Corporation, she led workshops through schools and hospitals to advise parents on how to successfully steer children through periods of emotional crisis to a new level of self-reliance and stability.

Linda returned to art following the birth of her son, founding a portrait art business which would allow her to work out of her home. She met Anna Marie when the author won a portrait at a silent auction. When Anna Marie later invited her to illustrate My Brother Needs an Operation, Linda immediately recognized how priceless such a book would be in the hands of a family in crisis, and was honored to be a partner in its formation.

Linda lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband Paul, and son, Michael.

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