In a small town in Tennessee, a little girl named Eden Grace Riddle is showing the world what true courage looks like. Born just four months ago, Eden Grace has already faced more obstacles than most people ever will in a lifetime. Yet, each day, she fights—bravely, determinedly, and with the love of her parents, Jarrett and Chelsea Riddle, surrounding her every step of the way. Though she’s only four months old, her journey has already been one of incredible strength, perseverance, and hope. Now, she is almost ready for the most critical surgery of all—the one that could save her life.
Eden Grace was born on June 30th, 2025, but even before her arrival, her parents knew that her life would be filled with challenges. During Chelsea’s pregnancy, doctors discovered that Eden Grace had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a congenital heart defect in which the left side of the heart does not develop properly. This condition is serious, requiring immediate and ongoing medical intervention. For Jarrett and Chelsea, learning of Eden Grace’s condition before her birth was a devastating blow. HLHS is life-threatening, and the road ahead was uncertain.
From the moment Eden Grace was born, the battle for her life began. Almost immediately, she faced complications that would challenge her tiny body and the strength of her family. An inserted catheter punctured her esophagus, and shortly after, Eden Grace experienced a collapsed lung and cardiac arrest. Her parents, already overwhelmed by the fear and anxiety of her condition, watched helplessly as their baby fought for her life. The medical team worked tirelessly for seven minutes, resuscitating Eden Grace and giving her a second chance at life. For those seven minutes, her parents must have felt time stand still. But, against all odds, Eden Grace survived.
That was just the beginning of her journey. As the days passed, she faced more hurdles. Her doctors performed several crucial surgeries, including the insertion of stents to help keep her heart functioning and a surgery to repair an atrial septal defect, a hole in her heart. Through each surgery, Eden Grace continued to fight, her resilience growing stronger with every challenge. The strength and determination she displayed at such a young age were nothing short of remarkable.
Despite the challenges, Eden Grace continued to show signs of improvement. She underwent a delicate catheter procedure, a critical step in her treatment, and, after much effort, was finally able to come off the heart machines and her ventilator. For the first time, there was hope that Eden Grace could finally begin to live without the constant support of life-saving equipment. Her parents, though exhausted and emotionally drained, couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride as they watched their little girl continue to fight. Each victory, no matter how small, felt like a major milestone in their journey together.
But as any parent of a child with HLHS knows, the hardest part of the journey is never over. For Eden Grace, the most important surgery is still ahead of her—the open heart surgery that will attempt to address the Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and give her the chance at a full, healthy life. This surgery, though essential, is incredibly complex and comes with risks. But Jarrett and Chelsea are holding onto hope. After everything their daughter has already survived, they believe she is strong enough to face this final challenge.
Yesterday, Eden Grace celebrated her four-month birthday—a bittersweet occasion for her family. On one hand, it was a moment to celebrate how far Eden Grace has come, a testament to her resilience and the love of her family. On the other hand, it was a reminder of all the struggles she has faced in such a short time. Four months is just the beginning of a lifetime, but for Eden Grace, those four months have been filled with more bravery than most people will ever know.
As Eden Grace prepares for the next phase of her treatment, her parents are filled with both hope and fear. They know that this surgery will be crucial to her survival, and they continue to pray for a successful outcome. But, in the meantime, they take solace in knowing that Eden Grace is surrounded by love—love from her family, her doctors, and a community that has rallied around her. Every day, they watch in awe as their daughter continues to fight. With each passing day, her strength only grows, and their belief in her never wavers.
As a community, we can all come together to send our best wishes and prayers to Eden Grace. She has already shown us what it means to fight, to persevere, and to never give up. Now, as she faces her most important surgery yet, it’s time for all of us to offer our support and love, knowing that every positive thought and prayer can make a difference.
Eden Grace is almost there. She’s almost strong enough to undergo the surgery that could change everything for her. Though the road ahead remains uncertain, there is one thing that is certain: Eden Grace is a fighter. She has already proven that with every challenge she faces, she only grows stronger. Her parents, Jarrett and Chelsea, have been by her side through it all, offering unconditional love and unwavering support. Their little girl has shown them the true meaning of courage, and they will continue to hold on to hope, knowing that their daughter’s story is far from over.
Let’s all send our love and best wishes to Eden Grace as she prepares for the surgery that could save her life. She’s been through so much already, and with the support of her family and community, we know that she is going to keep fighting. Eden Grace, you are not alone—everyone is cheering you on, and we all believe in you. You’re almost there, sweet girl. Keep fighting.
