Maeve defied all expectations. After 20 days on ECMO and 80 days in the hospital, this tiny hero is now home in Oklahoma, reminding her family that hope can be stronger than the numbers.

Diagnosed with left-sided CDH at 20 weeks, Owen faced ECMO, surgery, feeding challenges, and 81 days in the NICU. Today, he is a thriving one-year-old, giving his family—and other CDH families—hope every step of the way.

CDH is a journey no parent ever wants to take. But once you find yourself on that journey, you hold on to hope, love, and the strength of your Tiny Hero. AJ taught us what it truly means to fight, to believe, and to never underestimate what these little ones are capable of.

Today, Lily is thriving, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Her journey has been filled with uncertainty, challenges, miracles, and so much hope. She is our little fighter and a reminder that even in the hardest moments, hope can carry you through.

To the families walking this road right now: you are not alone. Hold onto hope. Ask the hard questions. Advocate fiercely. Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. Because CDH may be part of Liam’s story, but it does not define his future.

When Teagan was diagnosed with severe CDH before she was even born, her family faced an impossible decision. With less than 50% odds of survival, they chose to fight and Teagan fought right along with them!

When Bowie was born, no one was prepared for what came next. His anatomy scan had been normal. His mom had planned a home birth. But within moments of his arrival, everything changed and a journey none of them expected had just begun.

What I do know is this: I’ve been able to live a full and happy life. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The world can feel overwhelming, and a CDH diagnosis can make it even more so. But I hope my story reminds you that there is hope. I’m living proof. And I’m living life to the fullest.

Evelynn is 2 1/2, off of oxygen, still g-tube dependent, and having the time of her life! She is learning to walk, talking constantly, and trying new foods and figuring out how to eat with her mouth. She loves playing with her big brother, snuggling with her daddy and me, and telling everyone what to do.

Every single day, LJ chose life. On the 81st day, we were told our miracle boy was going home. The journey wasn’t over—he came home on oxygen and with an NG tube—but he came home. LJ is proof that even in the darkest moments, miracles can grow from unimaginable pain. Today, he is one year old and thriving.

At just 9 days old, Kalena underwent life-saving surgery for left-sided CDH. Complications led to a pleural effusion and emergency treatment, followed by months of procedures and recovery. After a five-month hospital stay, she finally came home. Today, Kalena is a thriving 8-year-old, and her family is forever grateful to the team who saved her life.

All in all, I had six surgeries during pregnancy, and my son had two major open surgeries in the first two months of life—but we are both finally healthy. He is seven months old now and doing so well. He beat literally every odd imaginable. He still has his G-tube, and we work with an OT to help him transition to oral feeds.

To every family receiving this diagnosis: never lose hope. Have faith. Speak up for your child or loved one in critical care, and never be afraid to say no. This was not the roller coaster I ever wanted to ride, I hate roller coasters, but this one was worth it.

We brought our baby boy home after 65 days in the NICU, 2 surgeries, countless procedures and tests, and many more obstacles that Cooper took like a champ. The strongest boy I know. We are enjoying our time with him at home with us, and each day, he is a reminder to never take anything for granted!

Today, two years later, Catharina is thriving. She’s an energetic, curious, and joyful little girl. She now attends daycare, where she loves music, clapping, waving at people, and flipping through books. She has her own personality—determined, affectionate, and strong.

The days are getting easier, and Abigail is continuing to grow. Her sister Lillian is hitting all her milestones and developing normally. It's nice having a community like TinyHero to connect and share experiences with other CDH parents around the country.

After 180 days, Faith came home. We had to learn all of the ins and outs of the G-tube and being on oxygen. She had a feeding and med schedule that was to be followed. Faith is a miracle. She has grown and learned so much!

We are so incredibly proud of how strong Clara has been through all of this, and how amazing the care that we have received has been. She still has a long road ahead of her with future surgeries, but the long term outlook is very positive!

Today, I look at Lilah and see a living miracle. She is a testament to faith, resilience, and determination. What the world told us was impossible, Lilah has made possible. She is our hero, and her story continues to inspire us every single day.

Born with severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), Lyla faced incredible odds from the start. She required ECMO just hours after birth and underwent life-saving surgery at only 5 hours old. After weeks of intensive care, breathing support, and overcoming feeding challenges, Lyla proved her strength. Now thriving at six months old, her journey is one of resilience and hope. Read Lyla’s inspiring CDH story