{{{ “In karate I’m testing this Monday for a brown belt. It’s really cool to go out there and be just a normal person without my regular disabilities and stuff. You would think karate was really dangerous, but it’s not.

“You’re like one of my idols. The first time I met you and heard that you had a pacemaker, I was like, wow, cool! When I met you I was like, look at how special he is. Look at him. he’s found something he really likes that he can do. Then I think, hey, I can do that, too. It’s pretty cool. And when I first saw you I was like, I wonder what his name is? If his name is something really long, I don’t want to act like I was stupid and I didn’t know anything. Then you said your name was Max and I was like, whew! Max is really easy. I can remember that.” – (mario)

Mario, pictured at 9 and 11 years old; Transposition of the Major Vessels, Implanted Pacemaker.

For more information or to buy the book, please visit heartkidsproject.org or CSHL Press.