Two local mothers recently shared their families' stories as part of Congestive Heart Disorder Awareness Month.

Natalie McFarlane is a Morden resident and mother of a child who was born with a heart disorder. She explained there is a wide spectrum of things which fall under the heart disorder classification, including a hole in the heart or having a heart chamber missing.

Another mother, also from Morden, Jenaya Wiebe said although these children were born with a heart defect it usually doesn't slow them down in the end.

However, she explained surgery to help make the heart function properly can slow down their development.

"By now I think Caleb (her 8-month-old son) would be crawling, but he's not because the surgery has set him back a little bit," said Wiebe. "They catch up and lots of them can keep up with all of the other kids at school."

One of the big concerns for Wiebe and McFarlane is remaining extra cautious about keeping their child healthy. Wiebe said a common cold may land them in the hospital or in need of oxygen support.

"It comes with a lot more risks because their bodies can't handle the germs like the healthy kids can," said Wiebe.

Although the surgeries help repair hearts, it means parents must learn new parenting techniques.

McFarlane said after the surgeries they have to hold the baby a certain way.

"You can't have as many friends and family to come visit and meet your new baby," said McFarlane. "That can be hard to say no to people. That puts you in a really tough spot. People don't get how important it is and how life-threatening a simple cold can be for your child."

Both Wiebe and McFarlane stressed the importance of asking parents before you touch and hold babies in the grocery store or church.

Below McFarlane and Wiebe share their story.