The moment Kerry learned about her daughter Hallie’s heart condition — Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) — at her 20-week scan, everything changed. It was a diagnosis that no parent is ever prepared for, and it came with an overwhelming mix of fear, confusion, and uncertainty. As the doctor explained the complexities of the condition, Kerry was sent home with the instruction not to Google. But like many parents in this situation, she couldn’t help herself. It was then that Kerry found Tiny Tickers, a charity that would go on to provide both support and hope during one of the most challenging times of her life.

Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects how blood flows through the heart and lungs. It is often diagnosed in pregnancy, and while the news is difficult to process, Kerry was left feeling isolated, unsure, and overwhelmed. She didn’t know anyone who had experienced anything like this, and the weight of the unknown was heavy on her heart. But Tiny Tickers was a lifeline.

Kerry reflects on her experience: “After being sent home and told not to Google, I couldn’t help myself. That’s when I found Tiny Tickers. Their Facebook page connected me with other parents facing similar diagnoses — it was a godsend.” In a world that suddenly felt filled with questions and what-ifs, Tiny Tickers gave Kerry a chance to connect with others who truly understood what she was going through. The stories shared by other parents who had walked a similar path became a source of both comfort and strength.

“I didn’t know anyone with congenital heart disease (CHD) until that day,” Kerry shares. “Reading real-life stories gave me hope, while preparing us for the reality ahead.” The fear of the unknown is often the hardest part when faced with a serious medical diagnosis, but Tiny Tickers helped Kerry realize that she was not alone in her journey. The support from other families who had lived through similar experiences gave her the courage to face what was to come.

Despite the shock of Hallie’s diagnosis, Kerry found strength in the knowledge that there was a community out there that could offer both guidance and emotional support. Tiny Tickers became a source of information, helping Kerry prepare for the difficult decisions and challenges ahead, from surgeries to recovery and everything in between.

The community and knowledge she gained from Tiny Tickers allowed Kerry to feel less isolated. She began to understand the medical terms, the potential treatments, and most importantly, the emotional rollercoaster that other families had faced and survived. Kerry wasn’t just learning about Hallie’s heart condition — she was learning that there was a network of parents and families who had walked this path and come out the other side stronger.

As Hallie’s journey continued, Kerry found herself feeling more empowered, less fearful of the unknowns. The connection with other parents provided not only practical advice but also emotional reassurance. Knowing that there were others who had felt the same fear and uncertainty but had made it through gave Kerry the strength to face the challenges ahead with hope.

Today, Hallie is continuing to grow and thrive, and Kerry remains incredibly grateful for the support that Tiny Tickers and the heart community provided during the darkest days. Hallie’s diagnosis might have changed everything, but finding that sense of connection with others who understood made all the difference. Through the stories shared by other parents, Kerry discovered that no matter how difficult the journey, there is always hope, and there is always strength in unity.

Kerry’s story is a reminder that, even in the face of a life-altering diagnosis, it’s possible to find hope, community, and the strength to move forward. With Tiny Tickers and the stories of other families, Kerry was able to walk a path that, though filled with uncertainty, was also filled with love, understanding, and the support she needed to face whatever came next.