Liam Neeson and the late Natasha Richardson’s son, Daniel Neeson, is bravely opening up about his health and sharing an update with fans after undergoing surgery for a rare congenital heart defect. On March 3, Daniel shared several photos and clips from within the hospital, many of which show him hooked up to medical equipment.
Daniel Neeson Shares Health Update
In the caption of his Instagram post, Daniel, who is just 29-years-old, explained that he was born with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), which he described as a condition “where the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of the normal three.” He revealed that only about two percent of the world’s population has this condition, and “it can stay dormant for years before it begins causing valve failure or enlargement of the aorta.”
He continued, “For me, I had biannual cardiology checkups for most of my life, monitoring my heart. Eventually, I started to experience severe left ventricle dilation and aortic enlargement. I knew it was heading toward medical intervention. Some people with BAV are operated on later in life, but I drew the early-bird straw. Nothing is more empowering than understanding your health, staying on top of your game, and planning ahead. Health is about being proactive, not reactive. There’s something surreal about realizing that one of your biggest challenges was quietly developing inside you your entire life. No dramatic warning. Just science, genetics, and timing.”
In his post, Daniel thanked the medical team responsible for his care at Weill Cornell / New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “To the ICU team and nurses – truly some of the greatest people on the planet – thank you. They deserve all the praise in the world,” he wrote. In addition, he thanked his loving fiancée, Natalie Ackerman, and his family for their continued support.
Daniel ended his message with a powerful statement about health and self-advocacy. “The recovery trail is beautiful, patient, and rewarding. Always advocate for yourself and listen to your body. Everyone should have their hearts checked by a cardiologist, even if they don’t have any known defects,” he wrote. “Most importantly, surrender to the present moment. Don’t live in fear. The universe has your back when you learn to dance with it.”
Celebs & Fans Show Support for Daniel Neeson
The comment section of Daniel’s post has been flooded with reactions. “The strength of the Irish in you, brother. See you in the summer. Let’s goooooooo,” a comment reads. “Warrior heart,” another shared.
“Beautiful brother, the universe definitely has your back! Facing this challenge like an absolute warrior!” a third comment reads.
Other reactions include, “Love you and Nat so so much!,” “What an inspiration! So glad you are on the mend, Danny!!!,” and “Thrilled you are doing so well, sending you so much love and healing vibes for a full easy recovery.”
Bravo star Andy Cohen also reacted to the post, writing, “Your heart is just tooooo big for a normal human being to handle!!”
