03/10/2026
At just 18 months old, Hunter Appleton was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta, a congenital heart defect that restricts blood flow from the heart to the lower body. During his first heart catheterization, he went into cardiac arrest twice on the operating table
At age 3, he underwent open-heart surgery—only to wake up unable to move his legs. His spinal cord was damaged during surgery.
“My parents were told I would never walk, run or ride a bike,” he said. “The life they imagined for me had seemingly changed in an instant.”
But he refused to accept that future.
“I remember sitting in the atrium at [University of Mississippi Medical Center], looking at a fountain with statues of two children playing. I told my family, with absolute certainty, ‘Jesus is going to let me walk again.’”
That spark of faith ignited years of grueling physical therapy and multiple orthopedic surgeries. Slowly, he learned to walk again—first with braces, then without. Every scar became a symbol of survival, every step a testament to resilience.
Today, at 21 years old, he is an adult living with congenital heart disease.
He’s a senior at Mississippi State University, preparing to graduate in May with a BS in Biochemistry and a minor in Pre-Medical Sciences. His life’s mission? To turn his story into purpose.
Hunter works in the Physical Activity and Wellness Lab, leading a research project on childhood cardiac risk factors. He founded and serves as president of MSU’s American Heart Association Heart Club, promoting heart health awareness and planning life-saving CPR training events.
And his ultimate goal? To become a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon so every child facing what he faced has access to care, hope and someone who truly understands.
“My story is not one of defeat, but of resilience, faith, and promise, and I plan to spend my life giving that same promise to others.”
Once unsure if he would walk or even live, Hunter is now thriving.
In December, the 2025 ACC/AHA/HRS/ISACHD/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease was released, helping adults like Hunter Appleton who are living with congenital heart disease.
