Julie's Digital Story

Finding Connection

“My story is about how my mental health was impacted by my heart surgery and how I found connection with others like me at Heart Beats.”

~ Julie

Julie’s ACHD Journey

Conditions: Ventricular Septal Defect – Atrial Septal Defect and Pulmonary Valve Stenosis.

Years Since Last Surgery: 7

Number of Surgeries and Treatments: 3+

1. Age 1: Open Heart Surgery

2. Childhood: Multiple Angioplasties

3. Second Open-Heart Surgery with Pulmonary Valve Replacement

Telling Stories That Inspire: A Digital Storytelling Journey

A digital story is a short, impactful video that combines the storyteller’s voice with thoughtfully chosen images and music, creating a compelling narrative in just three to five minutes.

Julie, along with five other individuals living with Congenital Heart Disease, participated in a 20-hour, multi-day workshop where they crafted their personal digital stories.

Julie created “Finding Connection” during a Digital Storytelling Retreat for adults with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).

This workshop was led by Common Language DST facilitators Kristy Wolfe and Kristina McGuire, in collaboration with Heart Beats Children’s Society of Calgary and with funding from the Western Canadian Children’s Heart Network.

To learn more about this inspiring digital storytelling workshop, visit Kristy Wolfe Stories.