Open-heart surgery is a pretty major and serious event for any family to go through. One family had to go through it multiple times–with family members from opposite stages of life–with their grandfather and a 11-month-old grandson. Allen Halstead and Kolbie Gregware aren’t just related–they’ve also both endured multiple open-heart surgeries.
Photographer Sunshine Moody captured this reality in a poignant black-and-white photo, showing Allen cradling Kolbie, revealing their matching scars. Both have been in out and of the hospital battling serious illnesses. Kolbie, for instance, was born with Down syndrome, a heart defect, pulmonary vein stenosis, pulmonary hypertension, chronic lung disease, and kidney disease. Because of this, Kolbie had his first open-heart surgery when he was just 4 months old. He had to spend seven months in the hospital, while his twin brother was at home.
Meanwhile, his grandfather has undergone two open-heart surgeries, 18 stents, a pacemaker, a deflator, artery disease, diabetes, a massive stroke, multiple mini heart attacks, and now has 10% heart function.
Brandy Gregware, Allen’s daughter and Kolbie’s mom, stated on Facebook how their struggles give her hope that miracles do indeed happen:
“There is so much hate and violence in the world, yet you have two people fighting to be here each day! There were several times my dad refused to go to the hospital until his Kolbie Lee came home. Miracles happen everyday and this is my proof of two amazing fighting miracles!”
We’re so glad both grandfather and grandson appear to be doing well–clearly, they both are fighters!
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