HeartMates
Today, I went down a rabbit hole.
I started creating a character, Heather Abbott for a series of short story ideas. I was curious what Abbott stood for and looked up the meaning. An abbot, is a monk. The name Abbott came up as a healthcare organization. I am designing my website, so I have been studying different layouts and messaging. This Site drew me in. I glanced through the “Now Trending” articles and paused at this headline:
DAMAR HAMLIN CAPTAINS NEW ABBOTT TEAM: HEARTMATES
This writing style drew me in and made me care about the hero of the story.
Damar Hamlin is an NFL safety for the Buffalo Bills who fell mid-game to cardiac arrest at the beginning of last year. With the support of his team, family, friends, and healthcare staff, Hamlin was able to make a full recovery and return to the football field by the end of last year. Now he is giving back to the community through HeartMates, a partnership with Abbott to “build a community of heart health champions.”
Abbot states, “Through HeartMates, we’ll work with Hamlin to help create a space for people with heart conditions, their loved ones and the healthcare providers who look after them to share their stories and receive emotional support.”
I do not have experience with heart conditions, but I do understand the struggle of going through a big health challenge. Abbott recognized that with this line that made me feel seen:
“It takes a tremendous amount of heart to overcome big health challenges.”
Yes, it does. And it is easier when you have people to support you. To listen to you. To sit with you. To laugh with you. To cry with you. To challenge you. A connection that rides the roller coaster that is a big health diagnosis with you. That offers security and hope. These are the people who have your back even when all you can do is lay on your back and be thankful you are alive.
I love how a curiosity showed me a whole world that I didn’t know existed until that moment. I am so joyful to see a person overcome something really hard and now help others going through this too.
If you have a heart condition, please connect with HeartMates.
I relate to this message through my breast cancer journey. Just like Hamlin shares through HeartMates, I exclaim: YOU ARE NOT IN THIS ALONE! If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with or affected by breast cancer, please contact me if you would like emotional support. I can share my experience and answer questions to the best of my ability. Or perhaps connect you with someone else who may know more than me.
Sending love and gratefulness to Damar Hamlin, Abbott, and all of those who are struggling with big challenges.
