Ridge Petersen now has the chance to live a long, healthy life thanks to his new heart. His parents hope this narrative can serve as a starting point, even though they are still unsure of the family’s name to thank.
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9-year-old Ridge Petersen, of Rockwall, is getting a second chance at life after receiving a heart transplant from an unknown family.
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Ridge was born with a heart defect called hypoplastic right heart syndrome.
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Around Christmas, Ridge’s family received the call that a heart was ready for him.
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The surgery was successful, and the family hopes to meet the donor’s family at some point in the future.
-
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9-year-old Ridge Petersen, of Rockwall, is getting a second chance at life after receiving a heart transplant from an unknown family.
-
Ridge was born with a heart defect called hypoplastic right heart syndrome.
-
Around Christmas, Ridge’s family received the call that a heart was ready for him.
-
The surgery was successful, and the family hopes to meet the donor’s family at some point in the future.
Rockwall, Texas:A 9-year-old child from Rockwall who was born with a serious cardiac condition now has a fresh start in life.
The parents of a different youngster who agreed to donate their organs are to thank.
Ridge Petersen now has the chance to live a long, healthy life thanks to his new heart. His parents hope this narrative can serve as a starting point, even though they are still unsure of the family’s name to thank.
A Second Chance at Life
Ridge, who is nine years old, has a teddy bear that is quite sentimental.
He clarified, “His name is Braveheart,” “I’ve had this since I was 6 months old.”
Ridge’s middle name ought to be Braveheart. Their scars are identical.
Ridge has hypoplastic right heart syndrome, a heart condition, from birth.
“My old heart, I lost energy very fast,” he stated.
What is Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome?
Ridge’s condition was described by Children’s Health pediatric cardiologist Dr. Ryan Butts.
“You are born missing the left ventricle, which does most of the pumping,” explained the doctor.
Dr. Butts knew Ridge required a heart transplant when they first met six months ago.
“He was losing enough protein that he wasn’t growing,” he said.
It’s a Christmas Miracle’
It usually takes a year to wait for a heart, but Ridge’s family received the call just two months later.
“Then they told me they have a heart for me, it was a whole roll of emotions,” Ridge recalled.
His parents also experienced the same thing.
Ridge’s father, Tagg Peterson, stated, “We got the call at five in the morning on December 27. “We have a soft spot for Ridge,” they stated. This is a miracle for Christmas.
“We felt guilty through the next few days,” Ridge’s mother, Katie Petersen, acknowledged. “How are we excited for him and us knowing this other family is saying their final goodbyes.”
The timing is fortunate.
A sixth kid is on the way to joining the Petersen family.
“Ridge will go home today, sleep in our home twice, and then we go back in the hospital to welcome a new baby boy,” Tagg said.
Now, Ridge looks forward to doing things that other children might consider normal.
“I’ve never been able to beat my brothers in a race,” he stated. “But now, with this new heart, I’ll probably be able to.”
Ridge is now eager to expand his list of interests to include riding roller coasters.
“My aging heart hasn’t allowed me to ride many large roller coasters. “Passing out would be very easy for me,” he remarked. “With this new heart, I’ll be able to go on bigger roller coasters.”
It’s all been a teaching moment for Ridge. One day, the knowledge might be useful.
“I either want to be a monster truck driver that probably won’t happen or a doctor,” he stated.
Thanks to a unique family they hope to meet someday, Ridge has a bright future.
“I would say thank you for giving me this heart,” he replied.
Next steps:
The Petersens intend to write a message to the family who donated Ridge’s heart, even though they do not yet know them. Additionally, they intend to set up a time for the family to meet if they so choose.
The Origin:The Peterson family and UT Health Southwestern physicians were interviewed for this piece.
