My name is Katie, and I’m the mother of a little girl who has shown me what true courage looks like. My daughter, Caroline, is almost 3½ years old, and in her short life she has endured challenges that would overwhelm most adults. Yet even with everything she has been through, she continues to shine with a gentle joy and strength that gives our family hope every single day.

Caroline was born with multiple complex congenital heart defects, and she had her first open heart surgery at just two weeks old. At 9½ months, she bravely faced her second. After those surgeries, we held onto hope that she would have years before needing another. But recently, we learned that Caroline needs her third open heart surgery before the end of 2025. This surgery is unavoidable, and without it, her heart simply cannot keep going.

Hearing those words broke us. But we also know this:

Caroline is a fighter. She always has been.

And we believe with all our hearts that she can make it through this surgery too.

Caroline is also deaf and has autism, which means the world looks and feels different to her, and she struggles with communication. She had double cochlear implant surgery at 13 months old, and since then she has been working so hard in speech therapy and daily autism therapy. Her determination is nothing short of inspiring. Every milestone she reaches is a victory she earned through effort, patience, and courage.

We know this upcoming surgery will bring challenges. She may lose some of the skills she has fought so hard to learn, and her recovery will require physical therapy and occupational therapy on top of everything she’s already doing. But we also know that she has overcome open heart surgery before — and she can do it again.

Just two days after we learned Caroline needs a 3rd heart surgery, her father lost his job. Suddenly we were facing the the biggest medical battle of Caroline’s life so far, with no financial stability, while also caring for our 2-year-old son and our 6-month-old daughter. It has been overwhelming — but even in these moments, Caroline’s smile reminds us to keep going.

The truth is:

We cannot walk this road alone. But we believe in the goodness of people, and we believe in the power of community.

The financial strain of surgery, therapy, specialist travel, equipment, and daily essentials for three young children has become more than we can manage on our own. I have learned through Caroline’s journey that asking for help is not a weakness — it is an act of love, a way of giving her the best chance to grow, thrive, and continue surprising the world with her strength.

Any contribution, big or small, will help us:

• Support Caroline’s life-saving open heart surgery

• Cover medical and travel expenses

• Provide therapies during recovery

• Keep life stable for her siblings

• Get through this crisis as we work toward new employment

If you are unable to donate, sharing her story is an incredible gift.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for reading about Caroline, for caring about her, for praying for her, and for believing in her. Your kindness gives us strength. Your support gives us hope. And hope is what keeps us moving forward.

With love and faith in a brighter future,

Katie and Caleb Austin,

Caroline’s Mama and Daddy