MacKinzie Kline Golfing Despite Heart Disease
MacKinzie Kline is set to play the U.S. Girls’ Junior Golf Championships in Charlotte, N.C. this week even though the 14-year-old needs cardiac catheterization to find out if her heart function is deteriorating. Born with just one ventricle, MacKinzie has had two open-heart surgeries and was still able to become the top-ranked female golfer in her age category.
I don’t know what will happen after that [catheterization] operation. I have a chance to take my dreams now, and I want to take that chance.
MacKinzie plans to golf with an oxygen tank in her bag which she will use between shots while travelling on a golf cart. Good luck, MacKinzie! We’ll be rooting for you.
Photo and story from Los Angeles Times, July 16, 2006
Technorati Tags: mackinzie kline, golf, golfing, golfer, us girls junior golf championships, heart disease, cardiac catheterization, heart, disease, illness, health, cardiovascular disease, congenital heart disease
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POSTED IN: Heart Disease in Women, Heart-to-Heart, Hearty News
3 opinions for MacKinzie Kline Golfing Despite Heart Disease
WOLF BAUGHMAN
May 10, 2007 at 3:50 am
DEAR MS.KLINE you are an amzing young lady!!!!! I am awed with your grit to do what you are doing!!!! I wish you the best!!! I read your story in the USA TODAY paper and it said you have a book. I can’t find it. IS it for sale? AGAIN,you are an amazing young lady!!!!!!! SINCERLY,WOLF
Kelly Miller
May 26, 2007 at 8:56 pm
MacKinzie, you are an inspriation. I am a pediatrician in Durango, CO, and my middle daughter Hannah (now 3 1/2 years old) has hypoplastic right heart and will always have a small and underdevloped right heart. She has had 2 surgeries and 2 cath intervential procedures. She is a spit fire and a joy to us all. It is wonderful to see your strenght and determination. I see that same drive in Hannah and hope she will thrive in all she does as you have done and continue to do.
Aastair Ewen
Jun 6, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Dear Miss Kline
Congratulations! I am a pediatric anesthesiologist in Canada and a very average golfer. You are an inspiration to all the kids who have undergone surgery for congenital heart disease.
Keep up the great work!
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