Maxwell was diagnosed before birth with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a birth defect where the left-side of the heart is underdeveloped, affecting normal blood flow. It can be fatal if untreated. Maxwell’s prenatal diagnosis gave his parents the chance to meet with cardiologists and surgeons and intervene early. After birth, he remained hospitalized on a feeding tube for over a month.

When he was three months old, Maxwell had a second surgery, and two years later he received heart catheterization. Maxwell is now living with a single ventricle, and has only been in circulatory arrest one time since. Maxwell’s story gives hope to other parents that all kids can have a fighting chance to be healthy and happy.