Teen with rare heart condition shares his journey and inspires others

High school senior Ford Mauntel was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome, had three surgeries before age four, and now plays football while raising awareness about congenital heart disease.

Ford Mauntel is a high school senior who was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome and underwent three surgeries as a child. He spent early years receiving care at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital. Today he is a student-athlete and camp counselor who speaks about living with congenital heart disease to raise awareness. His family says he will need lifelong monitoring, and they describe his condition as a constant part of life rather than something that defines him. Key facts: - Mauntel was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome, a condition in which part of the heart did not fully develop. - He had three surgeries before turning 4 years old and received care at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital. - He is now a senior at Charlotte Catholic High School, plays as a kicker on the football team, and works as a camp counselor during summers. - Mauntel and his family report that he will need ongoing medical monitoring and that his surgeries helped but did not fully "fix" the condition. Summary: Mauntel’s story highlights living with a congenital heart condition across childhood into adolescence and his efforts to raise awareness among peers. Undetermined at this time.