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A new heart, an answered prayer

Maddie Grace Price, who turned 6 this month, had her first heart surgery when she was barely a week old.

By JILL ANN PERRINO
Published April 25, 2006

[Times photos: Douglas R. Clifford]

Maddie Price, 6, rests on the shoulder of her mother, Melanie Price, as Melanie greets Maddie's classmate Gracie Gardner with a hug. Maddie returned to school Monday a month after receiving a heart transplant at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Her school, Westlake Christian in Palm Harbor, held an assembly in the kindergartener's honor. "Today is definitely a celebration," said Westlake Christian principal Rob Starner.

	Although Maddie had been in St. Louis since October, she seemed right at home when she was back in her classroom. Here she visits with classmate Quinten Smith.
	Maddie prays at snack time.
	Maddie and her mother, Melanie Price, lead Maddie's schoolmates during her homecoming celebration Monday. "The parents here have been an incredible source of strength and support," Melanie Price said.

PALM HARBOR - Kindergartener Maddie Grace Price returned to school Monday, escorted by fire and police sirens and welcomed by 287 fellow students waving signs and chanting, "Maddie! Maddie! Maddie!"

"Maddie's coming back!" said Westlake Christian School classmate Gregory Marino, 6. "She's been in St. Louis having a heart transplant."

Maddie's homecoming came nearly a month to the day after the 6-year-old received a heart transplant at St. Louis Children's Hospital - the latest in a series of cardiac surgeries that began days after she was born.

She had been in St. Louis since October. During that time, not all of it spent in the hospital, she was able to keep in touch with classmates via a Web site (www.maddieprice.com) created by Darren Osgood, a fellow student's father. There classmates and parents could read Maddie's story, receive updates, write to Maddie and play games.

"The parents here have been an incredible source of strength and support," said Melanie Price, 43, Maddie's mom. Maddie's parents, Melanie and Craig Price, live in Palm Harbor. Maddie's father is a financial adviser for Edward Jones; her mom is consumer market executive and market president for Bank of America in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.

The family said support from the school has been a godsend.

"They didn't let her out of their minds for a minute," said grandmother Sharon Price, 69, who came from New Port Richey to be part of the event. "They are wonderful here."

Osgood, 43, a deputy with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, said creating the Web site was his way of helping out. He hoped the site would keep everyone updated, relieve Maddie's parents of the pressure of e-mailing everyone and be fun for the kids. He was busy snapping photos at Monday's event.

"I'm overjoyed that Maddie was able to come home," he said. "And that she is happy and healthy."

Other parents offered support by contributing to the Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay. Maddie's parents stayed at the McDonald facility in St. Louis and understand how important such places are. During Maddie's homecoming on Monday, parents contributed more than $1,800, said Donna Young, house director of the three area facilities.

Soon after Maddie was born on April 11, 2000, doctors found that her heart was seriously damaged by a large hole. Also, her aortic valve was closing and preventing blood from circulating to her lungs.

Maddie had her first heart surgery, to replace a pulmonary valve, when she was barely a week old.

At 3, she needed the valve replaced because she had grown.

Five days later she had a heart attack that left extensive damage.

And starting in August 2004, she had multiple heart surgeries, was on life support and was evaluated for a heart transplant over a three-month period.

She received her new heart March 25 in St. Louis.

Calling her new heart a gift, a miracle and an answer to prayer, family and friends seemed in awe.

"Today is definitely a celebration," West Lake Christian principal Rob Starner said at a special assembly in Maddie's honor. "It's a great day."

Even those who didn't know Maddie well were happy to see her back.

"She's so cute," said fifth-grader Katie Deasaro. "We've missed her."

The petite guest of honor seemed shy as she arrived and quiet during the assembly that followed. But she was right at home in her classroom, chatting with classmates during snack time, and later, leading the daily calendar lesson.

Asked if she needed help, she said, "No, I'll do it."

Times researcher Angie Drobnic Holan contributed to this report.

[Last modified April 25, 2006, 01:08:16]