Local girl overcomes 2 heart defects, qualifies for State Track Meet

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-Bree Sponhouse was born with two holes in her heart. 

“I like to say they patched up my heart,” said Bree. 

She had two congenital heart defects…an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). 

“These holes in the heart cause blood flow to pass from one side of the heart to the other. That creates extra work for the heart to have to do. So if the holes were never corrected the heart would continue to overwork,” said Smitha Bullock, MD, Pediatric Cardiologist Norton Children’s Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. 

At only four years old, Bree had open heart surgery at Norton’s Children’s Hospital. 

“That was probably the hardest day of my life…because I had to stay strong for her, not show her that I had any fear,” said her mom Paula Renner. 

Before her surgery, Bree’s heart condition kept her from being active. 

“When other children her age were running and playing she was the one who had to sit down and take breaks,” said Paula. 

Now 11 years old, she runs track…actually one of the fastest kids her age in the state! 

“I really didn’t think I would ever be here at a track, I knew I was fast but I didn’t think I would ever be here. I’m really proud of myself actually,” said Bree. 

Bree won the Fastest Kid in Bowling Green Race at WKU last month and is a member of the South Warren Middle School Track Team.

This weekend, she will be competing at the Middle School State Track Meet in Louisville. 

“She has one of those stories that is just so rewarding,” said Dr. Bullock. 

And her advice to anyone overcoming a life obstacle?

“As long as you put your mind to stuff, anything is possible,” said Bree. 

Wishing Bree good luck this weekend at State!