“I also used ACHA’s Heart to Heart Peer Mentor program (using magicJack to make our international calls!) which was a HUGE support for me and my husband. I was connected with a wonderful woman who shared her journey with me and eased my fears about surgery and recovery! Her humor helped ease the unknown for me and her phone calls were very reassuring on what I was about to go through. I am so thankful that technology allowed me to have this resource at my fingertips (literally) and I made sure my peer mentor was one of the first phone calls my husband made when I was out of surgery. I am also thrilled to share that I became a peer mentor myself this past June!” —Nicola, November 2023 on the ACHA Heart to Heart blog
I learned about ACHA in late 2013 and signed up to be a member, not realizing the impact this would have on me! In December of that year, I learned that I would need open heart surgery to implant my pulmonary valve. This would be my first open heart surgery (OHS) as an adult, so that came with a lot of fears and anxiety. Also, I had a lot more logistics to deal with since I was living abroad but would be (thankfully) flying to the US to have the surgery done, which added another layer of stress.
As I was looking at the ACHA website, I noticed there was a Peer Mentor program and reached out in February 2014. I was matched with an AMAZING Peer Mentor. Her first email put me at ease right away. We were able to have phone calls and talk through all my questions and concerns. Her humor in sharing what the recovery process was like alleviated a lot of my worries. I felt heard and NOT alone in this.
Even though I have a very supportive husband and family (who have gone through this with me as a young child), there is something affirming talking with someone who KNOWS exactly what you are going through. She was on my list of calls my husband had to make once I was out of surgery. Her journey with me those few months leading to my surgery was such a blessing and huge support in facing my first OHS as an adult.
Since I was living abroad, it was hard to be very involved with ACHA. Once I knew we would be moving to Texas in 2023, I decided it was time to give back and applied to become a Peer Mentor. Since it was such a huge support for me 10 years prior, I immediately thought that this would be my first step into being more active with ACHA and how I could make an impact on the CHD community.
I was accepted and started in June (about 6 months before our move). Since technology is so great, that did not hinder me from being able to connect with my Mentees. I have had several matches since starting and it has been a lovely journey for me. Being able to support someone facing procedures or decisions in their CHD health has been rewarding for me!
Nicola pictured (center in green turtleneck) with a group of her fellow Peer Mentors and members of the ACHA team
I also feel heard when I am asked to share a bit about my own experiences and journey with my Mentees. We are in this together and shouldn’t have to face our journey alone. Now that I am living in the US again, I have been finding other ways to be more active with ACHA and have enjoyed meeting others in this community. I look forward to continuing my role as a Peer Mentor and journeying with others.
I am so thankful for ACHA and their support of the Heart to Heart Peer Mentor program. It is a very important resource for the CHD community and I encourage anyone (patient or family member/loved one) to reach out by clicking here! We are here to support you.
Note: ACHA is currently accepting applications to become a peer mentor though February 4, 2025. Click here to learn more and apply!
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The opinions expressed by ACHA bloggers and those providing comments on the ACHA Blog are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of the Adult Congenital Heart Association or any employee thereof. ACHA is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the ACHA bloggers.
The contents of this blog are presented for informational purposes only, and should not be substituted for professional advice. Always consult your physicians with your questions and concerns.