FON #HeartHero Spotlight: Landon Jones
The Fontan Outcomes Network is a community of patients, family members, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and supporters, dedicated to improving the quality of life and health outcomes for individuals with single ventricle circulation. Each month, we feature a member of the community who goes “above and beyond” in service of this mission as our #HeartHero.
Name: Landon Jones
Nominated By: Autumn Jones
About Landon
Landon was born in June of 2014 with a critical congenital heart defect called Shone's Complex with HLHS. He had his first open heart surgery at just 13 days old. He spent his first 5.5 months of life in the hospital.
In all, Landon has had five (yes five!) open heart surgeries and eight total open chest surgeries, including a pacemaker placement. He's had countless heart caths and various other procedures along the way also. At just 4 months old, he required chest compressions for a short while in the CICU. He had to be life flighted from our local community ER to UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh when he was only 18 months old.
Reason for Nomination
“He has overcome so much and he knows there is more to come in his future, but he still chooses to make the most out of everyday and enjoy life as much as possible!”
When I think about all that he has been through and let everything really sink in (I mean he's only 7 years old and he's had his heart stopped five times already!) it just simply blows my mind. He's gone through more trauma and procedures in 7 years than most people will ever have to experience in an entire lifetime.
And yet, given all these obstacles and situations that he's had to overcome, Landon is such an amazing kid! He never lets anything hold him down. His will to live and survive and thrive is astounding. He continuously faces challenges head on and keeps looking up and moving forward. He is such a joy to be around. He loves to entertain people and make everyone laugh. He enjoys playing tricks on his brother and sister. He is very sweet and loves to be cuddled. He says he wants to be a kindergarten teacher when he grows up.
Landon has to take medicine every day and get regular bloodwork and other testing. He has frequent doctor appointments and yet he never ever complains. He handles everything like the champ he is. And this is why I am nominating my son, Landon, for the #HeartHero Spotlight. He has overcome so much and he knows there is more to come in his future, but he still chooses to make the most out of everyday and enjoy life as much as possible! He is such a fighter and an inspiration to others!
Landon loves life and tries to make the most out of each day; he is such an inspiration to others!
Want to nominate your #HeartHero? Whether it’s a nurse, a patient, a physician, family member, or other, we encourage you to nominate your #HeartHero for the spotlight here.