The Tribune

DWAYNE Johnson was born on October 13, 1991, with jaundice and had to be admitted to the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital. While he was there, it was discovered that he had a congenital heart defect that caused a valve in his heart not to open properly. As a result of the defect, known as pulmonary valve stenosis, less blood flows to the lungs, resulting in poor blood flow throughout the body. The doctors referred Dwayne and his mother to the pediatric heart clinic. He was monitored for four years before his mother was informed by pediatric cardiologist Dr Jerome Lightbourne that he must have corrective heart surgery. However, at the time, the surgery was not offered locally and had to be done at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida. While his parents had health insurance, it did not cover the cost of the heart surgery, due to complications with the plan. But thanks to The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation, Dwayne and his family were able to Florida for the surgery. The parents was accommodated at the nearby Ronald McDonald House to further relieve the financial burden and ensure that they were close to Dwayne. Using what is known as the ballooning method, the doctors opened the valve, and soon it began to open by itself. Fortunately, Dwayne did not have to have more invasive procedures as anticipated. Dwayne is now 20 and works in construction. His mother Stephanie Johnson said his recovery thanks to the Heart Foundation changed her life. "It built my faith in God. It caused me to put my faith to the test. "The Heart Foundation provides real care. It's there. To go out and have a surgery, especially, an open heart surgery, costs no small amount. "I'm looking at the receipts now. In this day and time, having enough money is not easy, when you have limited resources. "The Heart Foundation provides great help for those in need. If anyone can assist, I would encourage you to help those in need. "When you are in a situation like this, you would appreciate persons coming in, if only to give a dollar. I would encourage persons to assist in any way they can financially," she said. Today pulmonary stenosis is treated locally by Dr Jerome Lightbourne with balloon valvuloplasty (dilation).