Lisa Livesay and her kids.(Photo: KUSA)
KUSA - After Kaden Livesay was born, doctors told his mom Lisa to be prepared for the worst.
Kaden has a serious heart defect. He was born without a pulmonary artery and a badly damaged aortic valve.
At six days old, Kaden had open heart surgery. He survived, but his heart failed at six months old and he went through two more open heart surgeries.
Kaden is now two years old and thriving. However, he is expected to need more surgeries in the future.
Lisa Livesay is a fourth grade teacher at Peiffer Elementary in Littleton. Every year the school participates in the Jump Rope for Heart program, which teaches students how to take care of their hearts while they experience giving back to the community.
Every school that participates honors a "heart hero." Peiffer Elementary is honoring Kaden.
Peiffer Elementary has raised nearly $3,000 for the American Heart Association. Learn more about Jump Rope for Heart here: http://bit.ly/1hW1QtM.
(© 2016 KUSA)