Orlando, Florida – A Central Florida mother who lives with a rare heart disease that affects “one in a million” people is in need of a heart transplant. She developed the condition after giving birth to her fifth child in September 2023.

“I feel like God put me in this situation to teach me a lesson,” Tashauna Shepherd said.

Two weeks after giving birth, she was diagnosed with postpartum cardiomyopathy. It wasn’t easy for her to live with her condition.

“I get anxious. I don’t want to be around people. Sometimes I have a hard time getting dressed, getting out of bed, cooking, and cleaning.”

She realized she had these health problems when she started experiencing severe pain in her back.

“What was different from the others was that I didn’t have shortness of breath, it was just my back. I had so much pain it was like I was paralyzed,” she said.

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So she went to the hospital. When she went to the hospital, she was immediately admitted and her doctor told her that her heart was enlarged. While waiting for her transplant, she will need to wear a device called a life vest 24/7 that will restart her heart if it stops.

“If I’m out and at a theme park, they can actually track me and find me if I’m out with my kids or someone and my heart stops,” she said. Ta.

The vest alerts emergency personnel. It’s a temporary treatment while waiting for a new heart, and without insurance it can cost nearly $1.6 million. One organization, Help Hope Live, wants to help Shepard get the heart he needs and provide financial support throughout the process.

“There are moving costs, but it also includes things like food, supplies, daily living, and transportation to and from the hospital during your stay,” said Kelly Green, executive director of Help Hope Live. said.

You can donate to this cause here.