CLEVELAND — Last month, we introduced you to a unique family in Avon, Ohio. They've gone viral for their goofy videos on social media, but their 2-year-old daughter was also about to get open-heart surgery.
It's because of that unfiltered look at their lives that the Balmerts are relatable to people across the world.
In April, Ryann Balmert underwent a life-changing operation to correct a congenital heart defect. But, as always, her family's Stay Upbeat mentality, and that fighting spirit, pulled her through surgery with progress that had doctors scratching their heads.
"Every doctor that would come in there would always ask, ‘Which one’s the patient?’ because her and Gavin would be over playing in the corner of the room, and you would have no idea," Chris Balmert said.
"The doctors were completely amazed by how well she was doing right after surgery," Lindsay Balmert agreed.
Lindsay, Chris, and their 6-year-old son Gavin, had been planning for a two-week stay at Michigan's CS Mott Hospital. That's not how it played out.
"We packed a couple suitcases expecting to move up there, basically, and sure enough, five days later we’re hopping in the car going home," Chris said.
But even with the shorter stay, how do parents like the Balmert's get through something as frightening as open-heart surgery?
The answer, according to Lindsay and Chris, is worldwide support.
"We're getting people from Germany, Denmark, Finland, Scotland, Canada … Australia. We're just getting these comments from all over the world, and it does it very surreal," Chris said.
"While we were waiting for that 10-hour surgery, what really kept us motivated was all the comments we were getting, and all the pictures people were posting. People made t-shirts in Ryann's name. It was crazy.
Ryann is doing great since her surgery, with the exception of one minor hiccup.
"The one change, after her surgery, is that she is in diastolic heart failure. Doesn’t mean her heart is going to stop anytime, it just means that there’s an issue with the blood pressure in the left ventricle. The left ventricle isn’t filling with blood quite like they want, so it affects the blood pressure," Lindsay said. "She’s on is blood pressure medication, twice a day, and if that’s it after the surgery that she had, than I consider that a win, for sure."
Ryann has worldwide comfort on her shoulders, and doctors say, she can tackle anything she wants to in life, except for scuba diving.
"Ryann is a go for anything. She keeps up with her six year old brother," Lindsay said.
The Balmerts have also seen a big change in the way Ryann plays since surgery.
"I've seen a 100-percent energy increase," Lindsay said.
And, that little, might voice? The Balmerts want Ryann to use it to share her story some day.
"I hope that she wants to talk to other kids and say, ‘Hey, been there. Done that.’ Lindsay said.
Team Balmert will continue their Stay Upbeat movement, sharing their unfiltered videos, that touch so many people in different ways.
"Whether it’s the scary moments with Ryann, or the goofiness of our funny videos, we just like to share everything that’s going on in our life," Chris said.
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To follow the Balmerts YouTube page, click HERE.