Extol August-September 2019 | Page 85

changes by the hour with her. And then it was days. ‘You’ll see even more progression.’ She did everything she was supposed to do in the healing process,” Brittany says. “We kind of treat November 10th as a second birthday with her, and we do cake with our family and celebrate her.” Eventually, she healed completely, a success story and another of two parents who weren’t resigned to take no for an answer. The family eventually moved back to Louisville, and Remi became a big sister to her two-year-old brother, Monroe. As another way to celebrate Remi’s accomplishments as a now spunky, princess-obsessed four-year-old, the family became involved with the Kentuckiana Heart Walk, this year scheduled for Sept. 21 at 8 a.m. at Waterfront Park’s Great Lawn. “We again use that as something for our family to be able to do with Remi,” Brittany says. “We’re ‘Team Remi’ and we are part of the community teams with the Kentuckiana Heart Walk.” Remi’s story touched walk organizers so much that they chose her as one of three representatives for the event. That means Remi’s dream of being a princess came true, with a tiara and red cape – and red Converse shoes all designed to represent what she, and others with heart issues, have endured. “Remi was chosen as a member of our 2019 Royal Court because of her amazing story of survival,” says Mary Fowler, walk director for the American Heart Association. “She is an inspiration and we love that her family now celebrates her Heart Day and her healthy heart each year at the Heart Walk. Even at four years old, Remi’s zest for life is contagious! As a Royal Court member, she will represent pediatric heart patients and share her story with our thousands of participants at the Kentuckiana Heart Walk and surrounding events.” Brittany hopes to bring awareness to pediatric heart issues –– but few can do it better than a blonde little girl in a cape and tiara. Remi will be a part of the opening ceremonies for the walk. “Heart-related issues don’t only happen to KEEPING CURB APPEAL BEAUTIFUL Paving | Seal Coating | Striping | Site Work | Concrete | Water Piping | Sanitary/Storm To join our team, please go to www.apc-construct.com