Published: August 20, 2026

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

As a newborn, Harper Taylor was diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition that affects how the blood flows to the lungs and through the heart and that required open heart surgery to repair. Today, you can find this determined athlete on the volleyball court, ready to assist her teammates and spike the ball.

Harper’s mom, Casey Meador, and her dad, John Taylor, clearly remember the moments surrounding their daughter’s birth at their local hospital in Bowling Green and the urgent call for the Norton Children’s Hospital “Just for Kids” Transport Team.

“Soon after birth, we knew something was wrong,” Casey said. “Harper would spit up, and then her lips would immediately turn blue.”

Harper was taken back to the nursery for additional newborn screenings. After further evaluation, the care team discovered a heart issue that required immediate transport for specialized testing and care.

“As a local EMT for years, I knew we had options, and I only wanted my baby girl to be taken north to Norton Children’s for specialized care,” John said. “Once we had a grasp of the situation, I immediately called my ‘Mimi Jewel,’ my great-grandmother, to give her an update. News traveled fast, and Mimi knew Harper would need further care. She told me once she heard the news, she fell to her knees in prayer.”

“When she opened her eyes, something caught her attention under an old washbasin. It was a lost heart-shaped pendant necklace her husband had given her. In that moment, she knew Harper’s heart was going to be just fine.”

Once Harper arrived at Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, Lucinda T. Wright, M.D., pediatric cardiologist with Norton Children’s Heart Institute, diagnosed the baby with the complex condition known as tetralogy of Fallot.

“We were reassured that Harper’s diagnosis is well studied, with successful corrective surgeries dating back to the 1980s,” John said. “We trusted Dr. Wright and the entire team at Norton Children’s. We had faith.”

Diagnosis: Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot is a combination of four congenital heart conditions: ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy and overriding aorta. The combined conditions change the way blood flows to the lungs and through the heart.

This type of congenital heart condition requires surgical repair to restore proper blood flow. Thanks to major advances in medicine and technology, most children with heart conditions today go on to lead healthy, active and productive lives as adults.

Encouragement and faith

After six days at Norton Children’s Hospital and further testing, the care team in Louisville determined Harper would not need immediate surgery. She was released to go home and grow stronger until corrective surgery at age 5 months.

“Harper’s oxygen level dropped to 74 [%] at 5 months old, and we knew it was time for surgery, Casey said.

Casey recalled that Harper’s surgery was performed by Norton Children’s Heart Institute pediatric heart surgeon Erle H. Austin III, M.D., who has since retired.

“The surgery was a success,” John said. “We saw her first smile once she could safely breathe on her own. We knew she was going to be OK, as Mimi had shared.”

According to Harper’s parents, they found invaluable resources through Norton Children’s Heart Institute, as well as connections to other heart patients’ families during their daughter’s eight-day hospital stay after surgery.

“Cardiac surgery at 5 months corrected the abnormalities in blood flow that she was born with. Although all patients with congenital heart disease require lifelong follow-up to screen for changes that can develop as a child ages and grows, we are hopeful that her early childhood surgery will the only one she requires,” Dr. Wright said. “As with Harper, and other children with this type of repair, there remains a possibility that she might need a pulmonary valve replacement in the future, but it is something we assess annually in her routine cardiac imaging and tests.

“It’s truly been an honor to see Harper grow strong and thrive over the years.”

Today

Harper, a sixth grader at Allen County Intermediate Center in Scottsville, Kentucky, has been playing volleyball since kindergarten. She participates in clinics with BRAVO Volleyball Club and hopes to join a travel team. Now 11, she is full of energy and lives life to the fullest.

Harper sees Dr. Wright at Norton Children’s Outpatient Center – Bowling Green for annual checkups. She currently has no restrictions and does not take any medication. “We are thankful for the team of traveling specialists locally in Bowling Green to care for heart patients in the region,” Casey said. “Knowing we are only a 20-minute drive away makes such a difference for our family. Having a specialized team close by gives us reassurance. Dr. Wright has been with us since day 1, and we are forever thankful for her and the entire team.”