Meet Steve: 2017 Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day Hero

Meet Steve: 2017 Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day Hero

Excerpted from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Blog

When Steve’s mom, Molly, was 20 weeks pregnant, her OB/GYN discovered abnormalities in Steve’s heart. He immediately referred Molly to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, where she and her husband Matt discovered Steve would be born with five different congenital heart defects — an unusual and difficult diagnosis.

“Our own hearts were breaking as we discovered our son’s special heart,” says Molly. But the doctors and specialists at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin monitored Molly closely, kept the family informed and offered hope and encouragement.

At just 9-days-old, Steve underwent his first open-heart surgery. Since that day, Steve has endured many appointments, procedures and uncertain days, all while keeping his smile and high spirits. The team at the Herma Heart Center at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin continues to care for Steve, and has performed three open-heart surgeries to help keep his heart healthy and strong.

Medicaid was an essential safety net for the Warpinskis during Steve's surgeries. It helped cover the high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for Steve's many appointments, medications and inpatient hospital stays. This enabled Steve's family to focus on making sure he was getting the best medical care. Steve is a delight to be around and his bravery at such a young age is an inspiration to many. Steve is strong, healthy and thriving because of the care he received at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

To read more about Steve’s journey, please visit One Wisconsin Family’s Medicaid Story on Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Blog.