Heart of a Lion

Before their child is even born, Derek and Annette George know that they are in for a long fight. On January 6, 1994, doctors deliver the bad news: their unborn son has hyperplastic left heart defect, a rare condition that is universally fatal without immediate surgical intervention. The baby is fine while growing in the womb, but as soon as he is born, he faces a serious battle for his life.

In Heart of a Lion, Derek George relives and chronicles the trials and tribulations confronted by his son, John Paul, who was born in June of 1994. As John Paul undergoes three heart surgeries and faces the related complications, Derek and Annette learn to navigate the complex world of the medical field and to advocate on behalf of their child.

This heartwarming memoir tells the story of a courageous boy who defied the medical odds to not only survive but become an active and vibrant teenager.