Muskego Elementary Jumps into the Record Books for One-Year-Old with Heart Condition

To watch Aaron Phelps scoot around the kitchen floor and fight with his big sister Allegra over a toy, you'd never suspect that his young life began with open heart surgery.

A young life, a big challenge

Born in March of 2012, Aaron was just three hours old when he underwent his first surgical procedure to correct a heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries. Basically, the aorta and pulmonary arteries, the two largest vessels that pump blood away from the heart, were switched. His lungs were receiving blood but that left the rest of his body without circulation, which explained his blue condition at birth.

After receiving a balloon septostomy, which kept the hole in his heart open so his blood could mix between the two chambers and got a larger percentage of oxygenated blood pumped to the rest of his body. 

"Luckily they were able to do this with a catheter by going through his leg," said his mom Katie, who is a teacher at Muskego Elementary School.  "It's amazing technology."

One week later, open heart surgery put the vessels back in their proper places, and six weeks at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (much of it spent in the cardiac unit) would set Aaron back on the road to recovery and development like a normal infant.

Students jump at the chance to help

Phelps' third and fourth grade students were aware that she was expecting a baby, and were told of the struggles for little Aaron through a blog she kept on Caring Bridges. She said it was a great experience in learning for them, and a source of support for her and her family.

When the annual Jump Rope for Heart event came up, gym teacher Scott Carlson approached Phelps and asked if it would be OK to have the kids jump in honor of Aaron, and the answer was, easily, yes. The American Heart Association is the beneficiary of the event, and with a living example of who their research helps, the kids were apparently motivated.

Jumping on Thursday, April 11 indoors because of inclement weather, students jumped to collect pledges, which to date total around $4,100, a record for the school, and more than double last year's efforts.

Aaron was on hand to help cheer on the kids, a scene that Phelps and her husband, Dan weren't always sure could be possible.

Aaron requires regular physical therapy to address deficiencies in his upper body strength, which has hampered crawling (hence the scooting to get from place to place). He also receives regular check ups at a cardiologist to monitor a heart murmur and any changes in his vessels. Other than that, he is the picture of a happy boy looking to celebrate many more birthdays.

"When I think about where we were a year ago, it's unbelievable," Phelps said. "We took a trip recently to Florida, and we had such fun. I don't think I pictured that ever happening."

If you would like to make a donation as part of Muskego Elementary's team, you may do so via Carlson's giving page. Jump Rope for Heart does have a website, however you will need to create an ID and password to make a donation there.

Carlson has promised to dress up as Quacky the Lifesaver Duck if donations exceeded $3,500. Muskego Patch hopes to be on hand as well for that event.