City and State
Spartanburg, SC

My Story
Lula Jean is named after her great-grandmothers, originally intended to be Talulah Jean, or "TJ". However, after learning of her heart defects, and thus her heart warrior status, I shortened it to Lula, a name that means "famous warrior." At 8 years old, she has proven to be exactly that.

Lula was born with Tricuspid Atresia, Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome and a Ventricular Septal Defect. She has undergone 3 heart surgeries and numerous medical procedures. We've spent dozens of nights in the hospital, enduring many tough moments with happy ones scattered in there as well. Lula has persevered through it with bravery, strength and courage.

We had professional photos taken shortly after Lula's Fontan surgery and subsequent month-long hospitalization, which is why her scar is noticeably visible here. We received proofs and selected our favorite photos of Lula and her sister. Surprisingly, her scar was missing from the final copies. The photographer had removed it unwittingly during standard retouching, but she quickly adjusted it back at my request.

Lula is proud of her scar. It prominently peaks out of her embroidered tunic as a reminder of the battles she has already fought and those that are yet to come. It's a symbol of her resilience and fortitude through the ups and downs of congenital heart disease. Please vote for Lula so she can be the 'famous warrior' she is destined to be by becoming the cover for next year's ERHF Heart Warrior Calendar.