Relationships in the CHD Community

How does having a congenital heart defect complicate developing long-term, sustainable relationships? Are there specific steps we can take to develop the kind of committed relationship that is sure to last? What measures can be taken to help us become the best partners we can for our loved ones?

This Town Hall Meeting deals with different aspects of being in relationships and being a part of the CHD community. These aspects range from being in a long-term, committed relationship, to being single and what challenges being a CHDer can find when looking for love.


We have a panel of Guests: Annie Ulchak, a Fontan survivor, has been married and divorced and is now in a committed relationship. Annie will share about some of the challenges of having a chronic illness while trying to create a sustainable relationship.

Brian Ramsay is a single ventricle patient. He has been married for three years to his wife, Tilly, whom he knew for four years prior to their marriage. Brian shares about the unique circumstances of having a congenital heart defect and being married to someone who also has health concerns.

Ayrton Beatty has drug-induced Long Q-T Syndrome and is bereaved of Edward, a brother who died of an undiagnosed CHD. Ayrton is non-binary and talks about some of the unique challenges of having an invisible condition and how people are often not as understanding or compassionate as they need to be in order for a relationship to blossom and grow.

Our Hosts for this program is a mother-daughter team. Anna Jaworski is also the Executive Producer of the podcast. She is Hope Jaworski's mother. Hope was born with a single ventricle heart and has a Fontan procedure and a Fontan revision plus a Maze procedure. Hope and Alla also share their own relationship considerations and struggles.

Finally, we have our Producer for this episode. Nicholle Bilodeau discovered she had a congenital heart condition in her 40s. This condition has complicated her decision to date and develop relationships. Having had open-heart surgery less than a year ago, Nicholle Bilodeau has a different perspective on living with a congenital heart defect.

Through many conversations in this episode, we gain advice from people of all ages. We also hear some lessons learned and glean some wisdom from those who have been there, in both short-term and sustained relationships.

We hope you'll join this episode and continue the conversation with us on FB and IG.

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