All our hearts are heavy these days, so it's important that we nourish them with as much good news as we can.

That's why I want to share with you the story of Erin Bates - a brave little baby overcame open heart surgery, a weakening of the lungs, and multiple infections before being diagnosed with COVID-19.

I came across this story on The Chive, who discovered it via a GoFundMe page for little Erin.

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Erin was born in October of 2019 to mommy and daddy Emma and Wayne who'd tried to conceive for a decade. In late November, doctors diagnosed her with a heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallotts, which, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a combination of four heart defects.

Erin underwent open heart surgery, and two days later was diagnosed with RSV. While battling that, she her lungs collapsed and she was diagnosed with Bronchomalacia and Tracheomalacia.

By then, Erin had been through more than many of us (hopefully) will go through in our entire lives, and she fought like a little warrior.

Family friend Johanna Sellars, who set up the GoFundMe for Erin's family, reports that Erin was diagnosed with COVID-19 on April 10.

After all the obstacles the world stacked on this little girl, she continued to fight.

On April 24, Erin's mom reported in a Facebook group that the girl beat the virus.

It's ok to clap. It really is. Give it up for this girl. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Erin's got a long journey ahead of her, and she'll likely be dealing with the effects of her heart and lung defects for the rest of her life, but if she keeps being such a little badass, she's not going to let them stand in the way of living a full and happy life.

My heart really needed to see this story today. I care for a relative who's extremely vulnerable to the worst effects of COVID-19. I've been keeping us both quarantined, but I don't know much longer I'll be allowed to continue. She's survived a battle with an infection that almost claimed her life once, and I hope beyond hope she can do it again if it comes down to it.

May we all be as strong and defiant as baby Erin.

Here are some tips for self-care during the pandemic:

 

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