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Born with only half a heart, Connor Winchester did more than survive for 6½ years. He lived.
Connor died Sunday of complications related to his congenital heart defect, said his parents, Jamie and Tim Winchester, who live in the Millard area.
Connor was 15 hours old when he was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In the condition, the left side of the heart, which usually pumps oxygen-rich blood to the heart and brain, is severely underdeveloped.
Connor endured four heart surgeries. He had a stroke as a baby, which later caused epilepsy, his mother said.
He had another condition in which his body retained fluids and couldn't absorb protein. He had learning disabilities. Shots every night. Frequent doctor visits.
“He was complex, but he was the happiest little boy,” Jamie Winchester said. “He always put a smile on people's faces, and he always had a smile on his face.”
That's the Connor they knew at Walt Disney Elementary School in Millard. He attended kindergarten there and was in first grade this year.
“Connor was awesome,” said Alan Sarka, who taught him in physical education as a substitute this fall.
He said Connor would show up wearing a SpongeBob SquarePants backpack, a smile and a protective helmet and say, “What are we doing today?”
“He was always super receptive and willing to try anything,” Sarka said. “He set a good example for the other kids.”
Connor loved flying around the gym on a bike with training wheels or on a roller racer, a low-to-the-ground seated scooter. He was working hard to push his short legs over aerobic steps as part of the P.E. curriculum.
Connor spent some of his school time in the regular classroom and some in special education with first-graders and kindergartners, his mother said.
Having been through kindergarten last year, he knew the routine and took it upon himself this year to help the younger kids.
When he came home from school, Connor often would take off his backpack and ask his mother, “Can I take off my clothes?”
“Why not?” she would answer. “You do what you have to do.”
He then ran around the house in his SpongeBob underwear.
“He was such a boy,” his mother said.
He always wanted to watch SpongeBob on TV. He wanted macaroni and cheese for every dinner. The answer wasn't always yes, but Connor could accept a no.
He loved his little sister, Paige, a kindergartner. He doted on his baby brother, Kaleb.
“Connor was the first one to help when his brother was crying,” their mother said. “He'd run and give him the binkie.”
On Dec. 10, Connor, home from school on a snow day, went with Kaleb and his mom to the baby's doctor appointment. As usual, Connor showed his brother off to as many people as possible.
Later that night, Connor went into cardiac arrest. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died three days later.
“We knew it probably would happen someday because of his heart, but this was unexpected,” Jamie Winchester said.
“Not knowing his future, it was hard to let him go, to not keep him with me all the time. But we let him live a normal life, which is what he needed, not cooped up all the time.”
She stayed home because of Connor's condition. Tim Winchester is an electrician. With one income and all the medical bills, the family needs help with funeral expenses.
A fund has been established. Donations can be made to the Connor Winchester Fund at Pinnacle Bank, 108th and Q Streets.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Westlawn Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center St.
Disney School first-graders sent handmade cards to Connor's parents. Most drew pictures of SpongeBob. Many wrote words that mean the world to his mom: “We loved Connor. He was the best. He was so funny.”
Contact the writer:
444-1057, christopher.burbach@owh.com
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