A Graphite Jungle

Take a look at this guy

…it’s okay to drool. I can wait….

Believe it or not, this is the face of a man born with congenital heart block. His scar is real. He has a pace maker. And yeah, he really DOES look that good. 

I think one of the number one reasons I love this guy is because I find him to be a fantastic role model. I was born with a congenital heart defect, had surgery to correct it when I was 4. I have twelve inch scar that runs the length of my sternum, a scar I can’t ever remember not having. I have never really had any issues with my heart, I could run and play like other kids, so long as I was aware of any changes and we kept up with my doctor’s appointments. 

But I remember there was a time, when I was little especially, that I really didn’t like telling people I had a heart problem, when I would go out of my way to hide my scar. It wasn’t that I was self conscious, but because I was afraid that if people knew they wouldn’t let me play. I can remember once, when I was probably in the second grade, a recess aid pulled me out of a game of tag. I was sure that I was in trouble, because only bad kids were made to sit out, and so I cried because I hadn’t do anything wrong. The aid calmly explained to me that I wasn’t allowed to play because of my heart. The aid had been looking out for my well being, I see that now, but she had seen nothing beyond the words “heart problem” on my paper work. She never read any further to realize that my condition was well under control, that my parents wanted me to be able to live as normal a childhood as possible. 

I have lived my life trying to explain to people that a heart problem isn’t a death sentence. It doesn’t make you weak, or frail, or helpless. Yes, some people with heart issues are limited in the activities they can preform but the greater majority of use have no problem in our daily lives.

That’s a big part of why I am so in love with Dan. He doesn’t let his heart problem get in the way of what he is doing with his life. His part as Agron is action filled and physical. He has said time and again that, in his off scene life, he loves being active, playing sports. He’s a good role model to young people who do have heart problem, showing them that it’s just something you live with, but it doesn’t need to define your every move. God bless him for it.