Hey Heart Buddies! I'm Boots Knighton, your guide through our special holiday series, "Hope for the Holidays." Today, we're revisiting a truly inspiring story that embodies resilience and hope in its purest form. Our guest is none other than Bill Wingate, a remarkable individual hailing from Birmingham, Alabama. Bill’s journey is a testament to the human spirit, having endured four major open-heart surgeries, seven heart valve replacements, and numerous other procedures over 27 years. In this episode, Bill opens up about the emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges he faced, especially after his most recent surgery in early 2023. He shares how hope, love, and gratitude have been his guiding lights through the darkest days. But that’s not all—Bill has a special message for all of us about the power of hope and living life fully, no matter the hand you’ve been dealt. You'll also hear about his exciting new writing project, which aims to inspire others through heartfelt stories. Listen to his original episode here. Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey. If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here. **I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.** How to connect with BootsEmail: [email protected] Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton Boots Knighton If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to: Open Heart Surgery with Boots Mentioned in this episode: Heart Valve Voice-US Check out Heart Valve Voice - US, an incredible resource for heart valve patients in the US and abroad. HVV-US