We’ve all had those moments when life throws a curveball and depending on the situation, it can be hard, sometimes impossible to recover. But the Boyd family is using their challenges to help others.
“She’s all over the place, she’s jumping off tables,” Dominique Boyd is referring to her 2-year-old daughter, Drue. She says looking at her, you’d never know what she’s been through already in life.
“When you see her, you don’t know, so it’s even harder,” Boyd said.
What you can’t see is little Drue has a rare heart condition called Truncus Arteriosus.
“She was only born with one heart valve, which you’re supposed to have two,” said her dad, Donovan Boyd.
By the time she was two weeks old, Drue had multiple procedures done, including open heart surgery.
“It’s been difficult to balance it,” said Dominique Boyd.
With constant doctor visits and almost monthly heart surgeries, her parents, who both have careers of their own, have developed an unexpected skill-juggling.
“This is a lifelong fight,” said Donovan Boyd.
For the past two years, they’ve had to juggle time with their two other kids, professional careers and each other.
“It’s been tough going back and forth to the doctors, I mean she gets her blood drawn, she has lots of appointments, it’s a lot,” said Dominique Boyd.
That’s why Donovan decided to write the book, Clock Management: A Parent’s Guide to Managing Family and Business.
“Just being able to provide insight and a resource based on my own and my family’s experience,” he said.
In the book, he gives parents facing similar circumstances some tips on what’s helping them make it through.
“That’s one of the big things, is to encourage families not to settle,” he said.
Things like connecting all their technology to know when appointments and medication are needed, how to handle job pressure and most importantly, how to be present for your family.
“It’s helped me reprioritize what’s important,” he said.
Something they both say is a priority, as little Drue continues to grow.
“It’s a group effort and that makes it a little easier,” Dominique said.
Drue is set to have yet another heart surgery in the spring.
You can buy the book by clicking here.
