Doting father gets a matching tattoo of his six-year-old son’s chest scar after life-saving open heart surgery
- Joey Watts last month had an operation to widen a major blood vessel
- The procedure left him with a six-inch scar running down his chest
- His father decided to have a replica of the scar tattooed onto his own chest
- Six-year-old Joey’s younger brother, Harley, also has the same heart defect
A doting father has had a tattoo on his chest which matches his six-year-old son’s heart surgery scar.
Joey Watts last month had an operation to widen a major blood vessel, leaving him with a six-inch scar running down his chest.
His father, Martin, decided to have a replica of the scar tattooed onto his own chest to show Joey it is nothing to be ashamed of.
Joey’s younger brother, Harley, whose age is unknown, also has the same heart defect, called supravalvular aortic stenosis.
Joey Watts last month had an operation to widen a major blood vessel, leaving him with a six-inch scar running down his chest (pictured with his father Martin, showing off his tattoo)
Joey’s younger brother, Harley, whose age is unknown, also has the same heart defect, called supravalvular aortic stenosis (pictured is Joey on hospital)
Leanne, Joey’s mother, said: ‘All of these warriors should be proud of their scars and all they achieve in life.
‘We have another little boy called Harley with the same condition who will also be having surgery in the near future.
‘So to us this is an amazing thing to do to spread awareness, and maybe encourage a few more people help to fundraise for such a fantastic cause.’
SVAS is a congenital disorder that narrows the large vessel carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Joey underwent the procedure to widen his aorta at Leeds Children’s Hospital four weeks ago (pictured in hospital)
Mr Watts, from near Hull, shared a picture of him next to Joey (pictured in hospital) for a campaign by the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF)
Mr Watts is pictured with Joey, whose defect strikes around one in 20,000 newborns across the world, while he is in hospital
SAS is a congenital disorder that narrows the large vessel carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body (Joey is pictured colouring in)
The defect occurs in around one in 20,000 newborns worldwide, according to the US National Library of Medicine.
Joey underwent the procedure to widen his aorta at Leeds Children’s Hospital four weeks ago.
Mr Watts, from near Hull, shared a picture of him next to Joey for a campaign by the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF).
£ScarSelfie celebrates patients with congenital heart diseases and encourages them to share intimate photos of their scars.
CHSF hope the movement will help to inspire, encourage and enlighten others about the plight of those with heart diseases.
Supporters are also encouraged to donate to the charity, which supports the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit at Leeds Children’s Hospital.
Sharon Milner, chief executive of CHSF, said: ‘We fully understand that showing a scar picture is a very personal decision and not for everyone.
‘However, we have run this campaign in previous years and know the positive message it brings.
‘We are blown away by the bravery and resilience of the hundreds of CHD patients who undergo open heart surgery and life-saving procedures at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit every day – like Joey.
‘This campaign is one way of celebrating the incredible stories of these heart warriors.
‘Please do take part if you can, and support our wonderful cause by way of donations.’