By Nanette Light
Sara Cox is a true heart baby.
Cox, who was born with an underdeveloped left heart chamber, turns 4 years old today -- a day that beats with symbols of hearts.
The irony is difficult for her family to ignore.
"She's my Valentine's Day girl. She's my miracle baby," said Michial Cox, Sara's dad Saturday at a Valentine's Day party, hosted by OU Children's Physicians Cardiology and the Oklahoma Chapter of Mended Little Hearts, a group of families of children with congenital heart diseases.
Sara Cox, who ranks roller skates and a helmet at the top of her birthday list, was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital heart disease, before birth.
Michial Cox said the family makes the two-hour trip from Tulsa every year for the Valentine's Day party in Norman, held this year at CrossPointe Church, 2601 24th Ave. SE.
"It lets her know that she's not the only one, and that there are other kids out there going through what she's going through," Michial Cox said.
The party was held in conjunction with a proclamation by Gov. Brad Henry for Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week, which is Feb. 7 though 14.
Kim Baratz, who has a 7-year-old son, also born with a heart defect, e-mailed Henry's office four years ago requesting the proclamation to boost awareness of the disease, which she thinks -- compared to other diseases, such as cancer -- is understated.
"There wasn't any support when my son was born, and I felt like I was the only one going through this. I don't want anyone else to feel like that," said Baratz, who sends a reminder to Henry each year for the proclamation, explaining that it requires an annual renewal. Baratz also is a co-coordinator for Oklahoma's chapter of Mended Little Hearts.
Kristi Weathers, who has a 15-year-old son, Colton, with a heart defect, is a nurse and said she was shocked to discover that one out of every 100 babies is born with a heart defect.
"I had no clue before," she said. "That's why we do this."
Since the proclamation's initial signing, Baratz said several families have joined the chapter, which meets once a month.
"Even if it's just one or two, that's one or two less families that feel alone," said Baratz, adding that the group is about parents connecting with parents and kids connecting with kids. "They get to be with people who think they're 'normal,' even though they have a scar on their chest."
Weathers said her son, Colton, talks with the younger children to calm their nerves before a heart procedure.
"With this one kid, the only thing he was most scared of was the IV, and he was about to have his chest opened," said Colton Weathers of his inherited big brother role. "So that was pretty easy."
But Weathers, who plays soccer and is beginning to lift weights, shrugs off fears of open heart surgeries. He's already had three, not including several heart catheterizations and other heart procedures.
Besides, he's focusing on earning his driver's permit in five months, as he quickly corrects his dad that he starts drivers' education later this month, not next month.
"Yeah, they're different, but at the same time, not so much. Besides, there's a lot of different people out there," Michial Cox said.
Nanette Light 366-3541 nlight@normantranscript.com
