We are Heart and Sole - Meet Leslie Brown Taylor

We are Heart and Sole - Meet Leslie Brown Taylor

Written by Leslie Monday, February 06 2012

 

 

 

 

A heart patient, a friend and a part of the Heart and Sole Family.

I am Leslie Taylor and this is what Heart and Sole means to me.

 

My name is Leslie Taylor, and I am honored to be a part of this wonderful organization called Heart and Sole.  I was asked to serve on the board in 2010 and could not have been more thrilled.  Heart and Sole is here to help children with special hearts, and I can relate.  I was born with a congenital heart defect in 1976 and have been a patient at the CMC Pediatric Cardiology Clinic for 35 years.  I have had three open heart surgeries, and my most recent was almost three years ago at the CMC.  Even though I may have been one of the oldest patients they had that week, I could not have been better taken care of!  I have been fortunate to have the CMC here in Augusta and benefit from the state of the art technology, first class physicians and staff, and outstanding patient care that they provide.  All of these things are improved by the donations made to Heart and Sole

 

Growing up as a heart patient, I understand the concerns that these children face, as well as the stress a diagnosis like this can have on a family.  The purpose of Heart and Sole is to give back to the CMC and offer help to these families.  One of the ways that Heart and Sole gives back is by sponsoring Camp Strong Heart. This is a three day camp for children with cardiac issues and offers a real camping experience for these special kids.  I have had the pleasure of being a counselor for the last two years, and let me tell you it is one of the highlights of my year.  The child life specialists are amazing and put together an awesome schedule of events for these kids.  There is more jam packed into one weekend than you can even imagine!  The kids love camp and have such a blast and I feel so blessed to be a part of that experience.  It is through events like these that you can see what a gift Heart and Sole truly is.  Every donation made goes back to help these special hearts.  What a gift!

 

So some people may ask, “Who is Heart and Sole”?  I am here to say that Heart and Sole is made up for the most dedicated group of people who have been touched in one way or another by a child who needed some special attention.  I am heart patient, a Camp Strong Heart counselor, and most importantly a member of the Heart and Sole family.  I feel so fortunate to be a part of something so special and something that is growing and touching more lives everyday.  For me, Heart and Sole is the best way for me to share my experiences with others and let them know how much Heart and Sole gives back to those with special hearts, just like mine.

< Prev		Next >