Max is an 11 years old and has a condition called Heterotaxy Syndrome.  Heterotaxy is a rare condition that causes multiple defects.  In Max’s case, he has situs inversus, asplenia, malrotation of the intestines, and multiple serious heart conditions including: right atrial isomerism, complete AVSD, right ventricular hypoplasia, transposition of the great arteries, subpulmonary and pulmonary valve stenosis, twin AV node tachycardia, and anomalous pulmonary venous return to the right-sided atrium.  Right atrial isomerism always comes with 3 major surgeries, the first within a few days of birth.  In China, however, he did not get the first step of the surgery; typically without the first surgery, less than five percent of children survive so he is a little miracle.  He had the next 2 surgeries and has had several other surgeries and heart catheterizations to keep his body as healthy as possible.  At this point, if his heart were to deteriorate further, the only option would be a heart transplant. 

Max has the best personality on the planet.  He has a great sense of humor and has the laugh of an old soul: loud and cheerful.  With Max’s heart, he can’t really participate in any sports activities so he doesn’t like to watch sports much either.  On occasion, though, he can be found to watch a Drake basketball game or a pro football game.  Max prefers to play board games and video games more than most other activities.  His favorite board game is “Wakanda Forever” and his favorite video game is “Splatoon” on his Nintendo switch.  He loves all kinds of music, but his favorite artist is Blake Shelton.  Max’s contribution to music is that he loves to play the piano and is now learning how to play percussion.  His all-time favorite movie is Marvel’s Endgame, but he really loves Into the Spiderverse and Black Panther, too.  Max’s favorite tv show is a show on YouTube (Sorted), which is whom he met for his wish.  Sorted is a cooking show starring two chefs and three “normals” with all kinds of cooking tips, cooking fails, cooking trends, etc.  He loves to watch the show and then try to do some of the things he sees in the kitchen.  He really has found a love of cooking, probably more so than any other activity.