So Southern at Heart

10/31/2026

Pass me that JOY. ✨

… the caregiver’s journey, and the idea that a hero is not necessarily someone who rescues us, but someone who stays.

🌕 On the Horizon ♥️☀️

As October comes to a close, one thought stays with me…

What does a HERO look like to you?

Maybe it’s someone who celebrates your little victories, holds your hand through difficult days, and reminds you that you’re never alone.

A caregiver’s journey isn’t always easy, but the most powerful part of our story isn’t the hardship. It’s the JOY that shines through it.

“Sometimes the greatest gift isn’t someone who saves the day, but someone who stays until the sun shines again.” ☀️

A Hero 360. A circle of love and support that changes lives.

Family isn’t always defined by blood. It’s the grandparents cheering from the sidelines, friends who become family, neighbors who check in, and those who stay long after the celebration ends. It’s the people who weather life’s storms and rise with the tide together.

That’s the heart of So Southern at Heart. ♥️💙💚🎃

October, with your moonlight, memories, and Halloween magic, I’m blaming YOU for all this reflection! 🌕🎃

From Alison, Alexa, Sam, and our families, wishing you a Halloween filled with love, laughter, and JOY!

And a special Happy Birthday to our Halloween Girl, Alexa! 🎂🎃♥️

Wherever you are. Wherever you go. Home will always be right here.

Keep shining. Keep passing on the JOY! ♥️

Samantha Stallings
Alison Kightlinger Cardoza
Alexa Cardoza
Pam Stallings 💃📸

10/24/2026

10/24/2026

It's - Day 21! 💙

Homocystinuria due to is incredibly - there are currently fewer than 40 cases described worldwide! 🌎

🔹Today's challenge - share some of the symptoms you or your child have experienced due to Severe MTHFR!

10/24/2026

A mother spent years listening to her son with Down syndrome dream of becoming homecoming king. A classmate made it happen.

10/24/2026

Hilary Duff’s ‘Stronger, Not Smaller’ Campaign Struck a Chord. Now, She’s Reflecting on Why

10/24/2026

10/22/2026

This could change everything!!

Understanding HCU is a journey. 💙

From recognizing symptoms and pursuing appropriate testing to understanding treatment and long-term management, every step matters.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the journey of HCU from 1960s to today and how far its come!

RareDiseaseAwareness

Positive News: 🗞️

Underrated life advice: Keep a list of the people who believed in you early. The teacher who pushed you. The boss who took a chance. The friend who told you to go for it. Every now and then, reach out. Update them. And tell them just how much you appreciate what they did for you.

In memory of two people who were our encouragers. Remember when. Thank you. 🙏 Sahil Bloom Alison Kightlinger Cardoza Samantha Stallings HCU Network America Danae Austin Bartke HCU Network America Mark Cuban The Record newspaper

10/16/2026

We’ll be the ⭐️!! HeartCharged

Unbounded Excitement!
♥️ Give her grace while she grows.

Your future will thank you for the boundaries you set today.

Choosing peace over a proving a point is real growth.



Check , Call, Compress, Shock.... Save a life!❤️

❤️ WORLD RESTART A HEART DAY -OCTOBER 16 ❤️

One moment can change everything.

World Restart a Heart Day is a reminder that knowing CPR can make a difference when someone’s heart stops. You don’t have to be a medical professional to learn the basics, you just have to be willing to learn and be ready to help. ❤️

For heart families, this message can feel especially personal. We know how important every heartbeat can be. We know the fear that comes with an unexpected emergency, and we know how quickly things can change.

Learning CPR is one small step that can give you the confidence to respond when every second matters. Whether it’s for your child, a loved one, a friend, or a stranger, you could be the person who knows what to do.

Learn CPR. Be ready. You could save a life. ❤️

Have you ever taken a CPR class? Would you feel prepared to respond in an emergency? 👇

Share this post to help spread awareness and encourage someone you love to learn CPR. ❤️💙

HeartHealth HeartWarrior

10/12/2026

The scars of congenital heart disease aren’t always visible. And they aren’t always carried by the child. ❤️

Today is World Mental Health Day, and we want to talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention.

The mental health of heart parents.

The trauma of watching your child fight for their life.

The anxiety that comes with every appointment, every scan, every unexpected fever.

The exhaustion of sleeping with one eye open, listening for alarms and watching monitors.

The fear that doesn’t simply disappear when your child comes home.

And for parents whose children never made it home, the unimaginable weight of carrying both medical trauma and grief.

We celebrate the strength of heart parents. We call them warriors. We tell them how brave they are.

But sometimes, behind that strength is a parent who is barely holding it together.

A parent who is struggling with anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress.

A parent who has spent so much time caring for everyone else that they’ve forgotten how to care for themselves.

You can be grateful and traumatized.�You can be strong and struggling.�You can have hope and still be afraid.

All of those things can be true at once.

Today, we’re reminding every heart parent that your mental health matters, too.

You deserve support. You deserve healing. And you deserve to be seen.

Because taking care of the heart parent is part of taking care of the heart family.

❤️ Heart parents, what’s one thing you wish others understood about the emotional toll of your child’s heart journey?

Whether you’re in the thick of the fight, navigating life after the hospital, or carrying your child in your heart, your experience matters. And if you’re comfortable sharing, we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we are stronger than the storm. 🦬❤️

05/28/2026

Registration for Rare Across America 2026 is officially open! Meet with your Members of Congress virtually and at their in-district offices and educate them on the issues that are most important to the rare community by sharing your story.

Meetings will take place from August 10 to 21, and registration closes on Friday, July 17. Make an impact in your community at

Register here: https://hubs.li/Q04gjLFM0