A pediatric anesthesiologist at Children’s Nebraska, Dr. Amy Beethe, formed a lasting connection with True, a 4-year-old boy she met in the hospital. True was facing surgery for hypoplastic right heart syndrome (HRHS), a congenital condition where the right side of his heart is underdeveloped.
Approximately 40,000 children are born each year with congenital heart disease, which affects about 1 in every 110 births, according to the American Heart Association.
After spending time alone in hospital rooms, the little Nebraska boy found a loving, permanent family when his doctor or anesthesiologist adopted him, a development Amy Beethe described as “meant to be.”
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“He was sitting there all alone,” Amy Beethe told KETV. “It took me back that this 4-year-old was going to go through heart surgery, and no one was there.”
Nine-year-old True is now living life to the fullest five years after his heart surgery.
His anesthesiologist, Dr. Amy Beethe, and her husband, Ryan, adopted him. After Amy Beethe met True during his surgery and was so moved by the sight of him being all alone, she felt compelled to tell her husband about the boy.
Now, True shares the last name Beethe, in what many consider a twist of fate.
“We went up and met True in the hospital, and it didn’t take long to fall in love with him,” Ryan recounted. “We knew we needed him in our family.”
The adoption occurred in February, shortly after True started living with the Beethes, following his surgery in January 2021.
“There are so many people who need the extra help,” Ryan said. “To fulfill their lives and the trickle effect it has—they make us better people. You can’t imagine your life without him.”
“We don’t love True’s heart disease. We know it had a bigger purpose, so it was meant to be,” Amy Beethe remarked. “He’s truly become my son. I would battle for him like anybody else when it comes to his health. Yeah, you’re a mama bear, and you fight hard.”
True, who once spent his time alone in hospital rooms, is now surrounded by the love of a big family.
“It’s been good because they’re nice and caring,” True expressed. “They’re my mom and dad.”
The Beethes not only adopted the boy but also his sister, who is one of his five biological siblings.
Remarkably, the rest of the siblings were adopted within their immediate circle, ensuring the whole family remains close: two by another anesthesiologist at Children’s Nebraska, one by Amy Beethe’s sister, and one by Ryan’s brother.
“We found a home for everyone,” Amy said. “It’s like one big extended family.”
Despite undergoing numerous heart surgeries, True’s battle is ongoing, and he will eventually require a transplant.
“We’re trying to buy him as much time as we can until he’ll eventually need a heart transplant,” Amy Beethe said.
The Beethes know the day is coming soon, even if they don’t know the exact date. Everyone is happy that True is staying positive.
“Keep going and don’t stop,” True said.
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