How Malachi Felt More at Home in the Hospital

Can you imagine being stuck in a hospital room for 22 hours a day? 

8-year-old Malachi can. He’s been in the hospital for over 527 days. 

Malachi was born with heterotaxy syndrome, a rare birth defect where organs are abnormally arranged in the body and, for Malachi, his heart is most affected. Because of this, he’s had multiple heart surgeries. 

After Malachi's second surgery, his mom, Elise, was excited to see him get stronger and have better stamina. But then his heart failure suddenly worsened, and his doctors determined he would need a heart transplant. To get the care he needed, Malachi was flown to a hospital 100 miles away from home, where he received surgery to place a ventricular assist device (VAD) called a Berlin Heart. It’s a temporary solution, doing most of the work for his heart until he can receive a transplant. 

For Malachi, over 527 days in the hospital has meant missing friends, family, and the simple joys of being a kid. It hasn’t been easy. 

Starlight programs have been a huge support, bringing social connection, fun, and variety to his days.  

Whether bonding with his siblings over video games or unboxing a new toy, these experiences lift Malachi’s spirits, help him feel less alone, and make time pass faster, especially during long stretches and times like the holidays. 

When Malachi gets to play with something new, he loves to film unboxing videos as if he has his own YouTube channel. He explains the item and compares different ones for his imaginary audience. 

His most recent unboxing video featured a special present he received through Starlight’s Toy Delivery program, bringing happiness just in time for the holidays!