Nikki DeLoach’s 8-year-old son, Bennett, is bravely — and proudly — doing his part to help raise awareness for open-heart surgery by campaigning for Scars are Beautiful, an initiative to end the stigma around the lasting imprint that congenital heart disease has on patients.
In a post shared to DeLoach’s Instagram on Thursday, Feb. 19, the Hallmark star’s son stood confidently as he was photographed, showing his scar in the middle of his chest so that others may see — and be inspired by — the quiet strength he carries every day.
Nikki DeLoach & Son Bennett’s Congenital Heart Defects Journey
When DeLoach was five months pregnant with Bennett, she went to the doctors to specifically see the beauty of her son in the womb through 3-D technology, People reported. It was in that moment, though, that her entire life would come to a halt.
When a specialist conducted a fetal echocardiogram, DeLoach was faced with the devastating news that her unborn son had heart defects that would later result in three open-heart surgeries.
“He had a ventricular septal defect (or VSD), which is a small hole in his heart, his aorta was narrow, his coronary artery would have to be moved, and he had a transposition of his great arteries, which meant the two arteries that go into his heart were going into the wrong chambers,” DeLoach wrote in a personal essay, People reported.
Leaning on her family and her faith, she was able to provide the undivided support that Bennett needed when he underwent his first open-heart surgery just five days after he was born.
Bennett Inspires Others to Raise Awareness for Congenital Heart Defects
In DeLoach’s Instagram post with Bennett campaigning for Scars are Beautiful, her son stood next to another survivor of congenital heart disease, Traci Hays, who was also campaigning for the incredible initiative. With a shared happiness and understanding, Bennett and Hays proudly wore their scars for all to see.
In the caption of the remarkable post, Hays explained how the same doctor (Dr. Vaughn Starnes) performed both her and Bennett’s open-heart surgery 30 years apart. She also put emphasis on how Bennett’s bravery encouraged her to wear and show her scar just as proudly as he.
“It’s hard to put into words what it means to share such a deeply personal, life-defining experience, not just with another heart warrior, but with a mother whose strength and vulnerability have moved so many,” Hays wrote. “Our stories are decades apart, but connected by the same scar, the same surgeon, and the same hope.”
She continued, “I had never publicly shown my scar and was nervous to have it photographed. But the bravery of those who came forward for this campaign, including Bennett, inspired me. I’m proud to stand alongside them. Our scars, both physical and emotional, are not something to hide. They are proof that we survived and reminders that we are beautiful exactly as we are.”
Nikki DeLoach’s Son Has Undergone 3 Life-Saving Surgeries
DeLoach’s son underwent his surgeries not only at 5 days old but also at 12 and 18 months old,” People reported. As a growing child, he’s gone on to play soccer and excel at the piano.
In a recent interview with Us Weekly, DeLoach explained the importance of advocating for your child and just how fundamental it is to be confident in yourself while doing so.
“Your job is to advocate for your child throughout the entire process, to ask for what you need, to speak up whenever you don’t understand something, and to protect your child at all costs,” the Hallmark actress shared. “You have to learn how to become empowered in your own body and in your own mind and in your own heart and be your voice for that child.”
Im so happy for your son. My son had the same thing but it was in the 70’s. It will be 50 years in August that he went to be with God.