| Tom |
|
|
|
|
Tom was diagnosed with LQTS when he was 9 years old. With no family history of sudden death, the news was quite a shock. Tom’s medical history has been very eventful. The day after returning home from a church youth ski trip, he had a full cardiac arrest. Our minister brought pictures from the trip to the hospital. There was Tom with his friends in a victory stance on a high peak It was hard to believe that our son, in the hospital bed on a vent, had been celebrating life on a mountain top just a few days earlier. Tom made a full recovery and is still celebrating his life. A gifted athlete, it was very difficult for Tom to give up sports. At age 9, when the doctors suggested golf, he reluctantly agreed. Through the years his enthusiasm has increased. Of course there will always be a longing in his heart for the team sports he wasn’t able to participate in. But now at twenty-one, he’s a great golfer and loves the game. One of Tom’s greatest strengths is his positive effect on people. His sense of humor and lightheartedness put people at ease. He’s great with kids. His balance of encouragement and teasing spurs them on to try their hardest. Of course some of his gifts are innate, but we know his compassion and warmth are also the result of overcoming and living with the challenges of Long QT syndrome. |
