Nat's Projects

Natalie is a 10 year old resident of the Pocono Mountains. When she was born a month and a half early, at 32 wks and 3 lbs 15 oz, it was already known that she had a hole in her heart. Over the course of the next month, while being cared for in an ICU nursery the hole closed, but yet another heart deformity was discovered.

Instead of her heart having the 3 valves hearts customarily have, Natalie's heart only had 2. In most cases this would translate into an inactive, sickly child awaiting open heart surgery, but not in Natalie's case. Her parents, having dealt with having other children with disabilities, were not ones to sit by and simply let nature take its course. Instead they encouraged Natalie to lead an active life. At the age of 3, Natalie began her adventure into the “World of Dance”. One class a week was not enough. From her first week in class she insisted on taking at least 2 classes a week. After 5 years of lessons, recitals, and 2 years of participating in the Nutcracker Ballet, Natalie has been informed that not only won't she need open heart surgery as a child, but due to the strength her activity has brought to her heart, she may never need open heart surgery as an adult!

Natalie decided that she wasn't content just focusing on herself, but rather she wanted to be involved with helping others not just locally, but all over the world. To that end she decided to become involved with the People to People Leadership and Student Ambassador Program begun by President Eisenhower. One of the qualities sought after by the People to People Organization is Community Interest and Activity. Therefore Natalie decided to get a jump start (the People to People program doesn't accept applicants until they are in 5th Grade) and started her own project to help out the community in which she lives.

You can contact Natalie via e-mail at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .