Two-year-old Rocky has been battling a heart defect since before he was born.

His parents, Allyson and Mason Graham, found out their son had heart abnormalities when his mother was 4 months pregnant.

“An ultrasound technician found an abnormality,” said his father, Mason Graham. “Doctors explained that his heart had several holes, like about five or six holes, and his arteries were also crossed.”

Rocky was soon diagnosed with a congenital heart disease, one of the most common types of birth defects, according to Mayo Clinic.

“He has a double outlet right ventricle (DORV),” said Graham.

This rare heart defect affects the pulmonary artery and the aorta — the heart’s two major arteries — which both connect to the right ventricle.

In a normal heart, the pulmonary artery connects to the right ventricle, and the aorta connects to the left ventricle. DORV creates a problem because the right ventricle carries oxygen-poor blood, which then gets circulated in the body, according to Children’s Hospital officials.

At two weeks old, Rocky had his first surgery. His family knew his condition would change not only his life, but theirs too.

“We had his name before he was born and he literally fits his name to a tee. He’s a fighter, like Rocky,” said Graham.

At three months old, the Canyon Country family prepared for Rocky’s second surgery that would help relocate one of his arteries.

“Having a baby with a heart defect affects the entire family,” added Graham. “When we were in and out of the hospital, my wife and I would take turns being there and taking our kids with relatives.”

It was during these surgeries where Rocky’s parents felt the biggest need to have support from others.

“Facebook was one of the most important things when Rocky had his surgeries because we were in contact with other heart baby parents from all over and receiving support from them,” said his father. “Social media was such a blessing. We even had entire towns’ praying for our family.”

And while Graham says this helped the family normalize Rocky’s condition, they still feel the need to bring awareness to the disease.

Because the month of February is Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Month, Graham started a pushup challenge to spread the word about the disease.

“I started last year to raise awareness and to network with other heart baby parents,” said Graham. “I really wanted to put a little bit more of my energy for the kids out there.”

Rocky’s dad hasn’t given up on the challenge as several videos uploaded to Facebook show he continues to do 28 pushups a day, every day.

Even though Rocky’s symptoms include blue fingernails and he has dark circles around his eyes, he’s an active toddler who loves riding his scooter and also appears in some pushup videos with his family.

“Sometimes we distract him so that he’s not overdoing it and we’re hesitant going to the park where there’s more kids,” said Graham. “We try to keep a close eye on him because he still needs one more operation.”

The Graham’s hope Rocky will be able to have his third open-heart surgery at the end of the year right before the holidays, and around his birthday in October.

“His next surgery is the Fontan procedure where doctors will insert a catheter into his leg, reaching his heart,” said Graham.

The family encourages other families with similar diseases to continue to have faith.

“Keep your head up and don’t let the stress get the best of you. The more help you have, the easier it is and if you have faith that’ll help calm your anxiety,” said Rocky’s father.

While the family takes the toddler to all of his appointments, they’re anticipating that they will need financial help for his third surgery.

Because of this, Rocky’s family has set up a GoFundMe campaign for his medical expenses.

“The doctors tell you that it’s nothing you could’ve done differently, you just have to love them no matter what and embrace your child and love them for who they are,” added Graham.

To see Rocky’s health journey, visit his Facebook page “Prayers for Rocky” here.

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