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American Paralympic Gymnastics Champion Issues Emotional Plea for Life-or-Death Heart Surgery

Published 01/24/2024, 8:49 AM EST

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Diseases have been plaguing the world since the beginning of time. But, while we can fight off almost any disease that comes our way, the ailments that strike us right when we are born always pose a great danger. A danger through which an American gymnastics champion has already gone through.

Paralympic Gymnast Chelsea Werner is a happy and charismatic athlete with three world titles to her name. Werner, who has the drown syndrome is now been forced to look at another congenital disease strike a loved one in her family. Taking to her fans on social media, the gymnastics star has appealed to them to offer their wishes to her nephew.

A collective and united prayer for a newborn life

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Chelsea Werner added a new reel to her Instagram with the caption, “This is my beautiful nephew Rhett. He will be having heart surgery today. He was born with a heart defect called TGA. Transposition of the great arteries. Prayers are greatly appreciated for the surgery to go well and that he is soon on his way to a speedy recovery. “

The gymnastics star put forward a genuine and heartfelt appeal in front of her fans for the sake of her little nephew. The reel showcased the cute baby who will soon undergo a life-or-death surgical procedure. TGA refers to a condition called Transposition of the Great Arteries. Because of this condition, the baby’s two main arteries leaving the heart are reversed.

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This is a fatal condition and leads to the demise of almost half of such babies within the first month, Thus, sending prayers for this new and young life becomes even more imperative. Such a situation is something Chelsea Werner’s parents had also found themselves in. However, thanks to advanced medical research, the gymnastics star didn’t just survive but is thriving as a role model for many today.

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Gymnastics star spreads joy and inspiration for fellow patients

Children with Down syndrome suffer from several developmental issues, which also impact their physicality. Noting the weak body of their daughter, Werner’s parents pushed her towards gymnastics. Although it was a very difficult struggle in the beginning, today, she enjoys the sport with a strong as well as flexible body.

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She competed in several national as well as international contests and is a 3x Paralympic World Champion and a successful model. Her efforts give several people with Down syndrome, a new ray of hope. Interestingly, her Instagram username truly defines the motto she lives with, which says, ‘Showtime Werner’. We hope that Werner’s nephew comes out stronger through this surgery and also takes inspiration from his world-champion aunt.

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Written by:

Ankit Singh

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Edited by:

Sampurna Pal