Gravette family tells story of daughter's journey through congenital heart disease

Fort Smith, ARLocal News

The story of three-year-old Willow Blevins from Gravette, Arkansas, is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Born with a congenital heart defect, Willow has undergone two open-heart surgeries and numerous medical procedures, yet her spirit remains unbroken. Her mother, Abigail Blevins, recounts the harrowing experience of realizing something was wrong with Willow's health shortly after birth, prompting her to seek urgent medical care. The decision to advocate for her daughter led to a critical diagnosis of arterial stenosis. Willow's recent surgery just before her birthday serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges she faces.

Despite the difficulties of hospital visits, her playful nature shines through, inspiring her family to stay hopeful. The Blevins family emphasizes the importance of community support and medical advancements in managing congenital heart defects. They urge other families to remain vigilant and proactive about their children's health.

Related Articles

Fort Smith to hold public meetings ahead of May 13 election

The city of Fort Smith is organizing public meetings to inform residents about upcoming ballot proposals related to tax extensions and a bond issue, aimed at funding a critical wastewater system upgrade. Lavon Morton, chairman of the Citizens Committee for Clean Water & Transparency, emphasized that the ballot will not include tax or sewer rate increases. The public meetings will provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions and engage with city officials ahead of the May 13 election.

2 Arkansas Hosts Texas AM This Weekend at Baum-Walker Stadium

No. 2 Arkansas is set to host Texas A&M this weekend at Baum-Walker Stadium, marking the Razorbacks' best overall and SEC starts in program history. With a 33-5 record and a 12-3 SEC performance, Arkansas aims to extend its impressive home series streak. The series opener will air at 7 p.m. on SEC Network.

Arkansas 95th General Assembly concludes in Little Rock

The Arkansas 95th General Assembly concluded after 94 days, passing numerous bills on education, food security, and taxation. Key achievements include eliminating the state grocery tax and enhancing education funding, though concerns about spending and the impact of proposed policies linger. Bipartisan collaboration was noted, particularly around food insecurity, but significant partisan divides remain, especially regarding prison funding.