Florida student and teacher bond over matching scars from their open-heart surgeries: 'Tough cookies'

6-year-old girl and her kindergarten teacher have something very special in common: matching scars from their open-heart surgeries.awais

Kennedy Vogt is a student at Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando, Florida, where her teacher, Carlene Honor, also underwent heart surgery.

The school intentionally paired them up — creating a bond of "heart twins" that goes far beyond the classroom.

Vogt was just 5 years old when a trip to the emergency room for flu and pneumonia led to the surprise diagnosis of a hole in her heart about the size of a nickel.awais

"It’s a rare congenital heart defect that affects the structure of the heart while it’s formed during pregnancy," Dr. Matthew Zussman, a pediatric cardiologist at AdventHealth for Children, who is also the girl's doctor, told Fox News Digital.

Kennedy Vogt (left) is a student at Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando, Florida; she had surgery at age 5 for a heart defect. Her teacher, Carlene Honor (right), also underwent heart surgery. American Heart Association"Specifically, Kennedy had what’s known as an atrial septal defect, which causes a hole in the upper heart chambers and increases the amount of blood flowing through the lungs," he went on. 

"Specifically, Kennedy had what’s known as an atrial septal defect, which causes a hole in the upper heart chambers and increases the amount of blood flowing through the lungs," he went on. 

WANT TO AVOID A HEART ATTACK? THESE ARE THE BEST AND WORST FOODS, ACCORDING TO CARDIOLOGISTSawais

While the defect doesn’t usually cause complications during childhood, it can lead to heart and lung disease in adulthood if it goes untreated, the doctor said.

The diagnosis was a shock to the family, as Vogt — an active, happy child and aspiring gymnast — had not displayed any warning signs. awais

"The operation involves making an incision along the breastbone, connecting the patient to a heart-lung bypass machine and patching the hole," Zussman said.In May 2023, Vogt underwent open-heart surgery at AdventHealth for Children in Orlando.

"It was definitely hard, but everyone was wonderful and the surgery went smoothly," said Kristin Green-Vogt, the girl's mom. "Everything went as perfectly as that situation can go."awais

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