Sara Bonneau
As the mother of a 22-year-old son with tetralogy of Fallot, Sara Bonneau has navigated the complexities of congenital heart disease (CHD). Her son has had two open-heart surgeries, a catheterization, and a sternal wire repair. Despite these challenges, he excelled as a competitive high school basketball player.
The tragic on-court death of a fellow 15-year-old athlete from sudden cardiac arrest motivated her to advocate for legislative change in Rhode Island. Her efforts were instrumental in mandating Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in all middle and high school gyms, enhancing emergency preparedness.
Recognizing the emotional toll of being a CHD parent, she actively shares her experiences to destigmatize mental health support within the CHD community. Her transparency about personal treatment and medication aims to foster a supportive environment for parents facing similar journeys.