"Anyone who has ever suffered grief, in any form, will benefit from this passionately honest book. Grief is Amanda Adams' constant companion, both her oppressor and her guide, as she gropes her way through a heart-rending experience."-Kristin Henderson, author of While They're at War: The True Story of American Families on the HomefrontFive months pregnant, Amanda Adams and her husband were given two abysmal choices regarding her pregnancy: force her baby to fight for his life through countless invasive and dangerous surgeries, or perform a late term abortion. Despite the fact that Liam was missing half his heart, Amanda chose life.Amanda's emotional plate was full as she found herself redefining the usual expectations a mother has for her child. Instead of wondering where he'd go to college, she wondered if he would survive his first birthday. The eventual acceptance of Amanda's grief helped her accept her new role as a powerful advocate. Over the course of seven years, together, as a family, Amanda and her husband helped Liam endure twelve heart surgeries, each time taking him to the brink of death.Heart Warriors is Amanda's personal and emotional story that initiates a powerful dialogue about infant mortality and hope.Amanda Adams is a "Heart Mom" and a powerful voice within the congenital heart disease (CHD) community by working closely with cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and nurses from Harvard University, Baylor University, University of Southern California, University of Illinois, and CU Boulder Medical. She founded two CHD organizations, organizes medical conferences for Hypoplastic Right Hearts, attends medical advisory board meetings and national chapter presidents meetings for the Children's Heart Foundation, and chaired the Congenital Heart Walk in Colorado. As a pioneer of CHD advocacy, she is also firmly rooted in the social network of CHD parents and survivors.
