They began to explain to us that Haydn had a congenital diagrammatic hernia and would need a repair. They further explained that given his age, the chances of his survival were 50%. As I attempted to understand everything that was shared with me, I had no words.

Later a Facebook friend of a friend told us her story of her CDH baby and how they found hope through Tiny Hero and a CDH specialist, Dr. Kays, at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

Once we got to Gainesville the doctor there new exactly what it was. He wrote on a piece of paper, CDH. I had no idea what that even was. He told me it was a 97 percent survival rate but she would need surgery and a long hospital stay.

Our Strong for Penelope supporters and the CDH community have shown us so much love over this past year it is incredibly humbling. Without their support we would not have been able to relocate the 1,861 miles away from home with half of our family in St. Petersburg Florida and the other half in Pierre South Dakota.

When we received the news of the CDH, we were so devastated knowing the journey she would have ahead of herself, but we also were filled with so much hope because we knew that with the right team, she would do great.

Liam is such an extremely loving and happy little boy. Liam ran the CDH Marathon and has continued to overcome obstacles daily!

Now Rylee is six years old and loving life. She's still feisty, still fighting but doing great. Both lungs have grown, but she is on oxygen 24/7, has severe pulmonary hypertension, and is G-tube fed. None of that stops her from playing sports, running around with other kids, or singing and dancing to her favorite band, AJR! She loves playing baseball and even played in the Miracle League!

Now she is 17 months. She gets her checkups every month with her surgeon, runs around, likes to eat. I am so grateful to have her here with us. She is a blessing. She has gone thru so much but she is strong. We Love our Tiny Hero.

He is almost a year old now only on oxygen at night and 2 of his 4 medicines are being weened down so we are almost at 2 medications a day. I can’t wait to see where my little warrior goes from here!!

Carley is now a wonderful, smart, sweet and caring 6 year old. She is in the 1st grade, she is testing as a 2nd grader, reading and spelling at a 3rd grade level. She plays Softball, does gymnastics, and is a Cheerleader.

Hi everyone. My name is Abigail. I was born with a diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Doctors said I wasn't going to make it. Mom didn't have a baby shower for me until after I was born, just in case. But we had people praying and I started breathing by myself.

I have a 22 year old son who thrived against all odds. He got his private pilots license when he was 17 he was accepted into Rice University with a double major Cognitive Science, Classical Studies in Greek and Latin and a Neuroscience minor.

I remember my OB calling me to discuss the results over the phone and trying to prepare me for getting back poor blood results. He said “you are young and can try again for a perfect baby.” This made everything sink in. When I heard my doctor suggest termination, it made me think they would terminate in my shoes, and it immediately sank in how much of a battle my little boy had ahead.

“Her stomach was up next to her heart. There’s a hole in her diaphragm. Reduced lung growth. Other organs in her chest. He said she won’t be running any marathons. One of us asked... ok so is that it? Just maybe no sports? She’s ok right?”

The surgery team explained to us that Zaria was on the better end of the spectrum for CDH (thank God) and that they were able to use stitches and no mesh was used. We were at JHAC for about 22 days.

She actually SCREAMED. We were told that wouldn’t happen. We were told she might not seem responsive or have any of the normal “just born baby” things. But she cried.

Today, Emmie is a completely perfect and healthy (almost) 7-year-old! She loves homeschooling, her big sister, and playing with her friends and family. She is an incredible little builder and delights in showing off her newest creations — from Lego structures to elaborate forts. Our life truly is one “after CDH” and not “with CDH.”

After twenty-eight days in the hospital, we were able to go home. I know that stay seems so short compared to some, but I am so thankful how amazingly well he did and continues to do! Max will be 2 years old next month and has never had any other health issues.

“Meet your little guy, Mom! Congratulations.” That was when I knew that Ethan was in good hands because for the first time I had a doctor congratulate me on the blessing that is my baby. It was the best feeling in the world to know someone was fighting alongside us to do whatever possible to save our baby.

Every day there was less medication and less oxygen. She eventually came home at 51 days old. No oxygen and feeding orally. SHE DID IT!