Crocodile Magazine January 2017

Meet Mateo
On February 4, 2014, at Mateo’s mother’s 23 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor noticed that
something in his heart wasn’t right. After many hours, the doctor confirmed that Mateo has
HLHS, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. This is the day that his mom describes as the day their
world fell apart. Many doctors told her that Mateo had no chance at all to live, and they should
prepare themselves to say goodbye as soon as he was born. Refusing to do this, Mateo’s
parents began researching and found the UF Health Shands Congenital Heart Center. Since the
first meeting with Dr. Bleiweis’ team at the Congenital Heart Center, Mateo began to have a
chance—not an easy one, but a chance, nonetheless. Every time he has hit a bump in the road,
or his family has needed any kind of help or motivation, the team has been there for them.
After two very intense open heart surgeries to prepare his body to live with only half a heart,
Mateo has become the very active child he is today. His mom describes him as a determined,
stubborn, playful, and smart little boy who loves playing soccer all day long, or watching
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Peppa Pig.
Join us this year as we continue
to make bigger and better miracles For The Kids like Mateo!
For more information about our cause or to donate, please visit:
www.floridadm.org/donate