Health challenges for infants are among the greatest hurdles parents face. Just seven months ago, Abel and Jordyn Albritton welcomed a brand new baby boy into their family. Cove Albritton was immediately “a big hit” and, as his parents have expressed, the greatest blessing. His dad, who was then running for Freeport City Council just after Cove’s birth, told Mid Bay News (MBN) that he wasn’t the best “sleeper” but there were no immediate health concerns. Abel Albritton made efforts to balance work as a firefighter, father of a new baby, and running for public office, which Albritton remains passionate about. With the baby’s fifth-month doctor’s visit came some distressing news. The pediatrician noticed that Cove was not gaining weight as he should and also detected a heart murmur that had not been detected at the time of Cove’s birth. Over the next few weeks, the murmur seemed to become more pronounced, and the physician referred Cove to a pediatric cardiologist for more specialized care.
Then it was discovered that Cove has a congenital heart defect called ventricular septal defect (VSD). The condition presents itself with “a hole in the heart that’s present at birth. The hole is between the right and left ventricles in the lower part of Cove’s heart. It allows oxygen-rich blood to move back into the lungs instead of being pumped to the rest of the body.” The cardiologist gave the Albritton family difficult news regarding the hole in Cove’s heart. First, the specialist said the hole that has been causing the infant’s heart to work so hard will not heal on its own. In fact, it [the hole] is growing and will require open-heart surgery to correct the condition. The surgical team is concerned because the right side of Cove’s heart is now enlarged and needs to be repaired soon.
With urgency, the family is scheduled to travel to Orlando for Cove’s open-heart surgery. The medical team has indicated that Cove will be hospitalized for 14 to 21 days post-surgery. As our readers might expect, this has raised a great deal of concern on mom and dad and significant financial concern for the family. The Albrittons told MBN that support like the Ronald McDonald House, which provides housing for families when children are hospitalized, currently has “no vacancy” for overnight accommodations during Cove’s time in the hospital. For the Albrittons, finances are tight, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help with expenses during this time.
Mid Bay News (MBN) asked Abel Albritton to share something special about Cove that he would want others to know. Albritton said, “Cove is amazing, and he is a bright spot in every day. When we smile at Cove, he smiles back at us. When we laugh, he laughs. He is the happiest baby
Albritton also shared with MBN that he and his wife are expecting their second child in early November. When asked about his political aspirations for the future, Albritton said, “I look forward to serving in politics, but my recent step-back was necessary due to Cove’s health.” He added, “my family comes first.
I look forward to what the future holds.” Albritton is a firefighter with Springfield F.D., and his wife, Jordyn, is a school teacher.
Cove’s surgery is scheduled for July 10.
