Meet a Girl Who Was Born With Her Heart Outside Her Chest, Defying Doctors Who Gave Her No Chance to Live

Fifteen years ago, the birth of this girl made headlines. Her mother, Dari Borun, gave birth to a daughter with a rare condition known as Pentalogy of Cantrell, where her heart is located just beneath the skin instead of inside the chest cavity. This condition affects only 1 in 1 million newborns.

Virsaviya’s case is a true miracle.

Young Virsaviya has overcome countless challenges due to a rare condition that left her heart unprotected, without a rib cage, and abdominal muscles. During her pregnancy, doctors warned her mother, Dari, that the unborn baby might not survive, possibly not even making it through the pregnancy or birth.

Despite the grim predictions, Dari’s deep love for her unborn child drove her to move forward with the pregnancy. Today, this extraordinary young girl thrives, embracing life and engaging in activities just like any other child her age. “She truly is a miracle and I love the way she is. She is absolutely unique. She is one in a million,” Virsaviya’s mother shares.

Her mother is dedicated to raising awareness about Virsaviya’s condition.

Instead of succumbing to worry about Virsaviya’s condition, her mother, Dari Barun, proudly shared bare-chested pictures of her daughter on Instagram. These images showcased Virsaviya’s exposed heart in various poses and settings. Dari likely drew her strength from her vibrant little girl, who adores dancing, drawing, riding ponies, and listening to Beyoncé. Although running is restricted for her, she cherishes the activity nonetheless. To protect her heart, Virsaviya always wears soft clothing.

Dari says, “I love my daughter the way she is. That’s the way God made her, but I don’t want this condition to happen to other kids if it can be prevented. I support the work of NHLBI researchers to continue to shed light on this condition and perhaps find a way to treat it.”

This condition affects only one in a million.

Virsaviya’s condition, known as Pentalogy of Cantrell, affects just one in a million live births. Remarkably, her heart condition doesn’t cause her pain or limit her daily activities.

Although she can participate in regular activities, Virsaviya must take extra care to protect her chest from injury, as any harm could severely affect her exposed heart beneath the skin. To shield her vital organ, she consistently wears a protective chest covering.

Despite the potential risks, Virsaviya leads an active and vibrant life.

The mother says, “It’s not easy for Virsaviya to live with her heart on the outside of her chest because it’s really exposed and fragile, since it is just below the surface of the skin. At times, it can cause both myself and Virsaviya anxiety to know just how vulnerable she is.”

Despite being aware of the substantial risks associated with her condition, the girl refuses to be hindered by it. She says, “Sometimes it can be difficult when my oxygen levels are low, and I feel lightheaded and dizzy. But I love staying active and singing and dancing with my friends.”

Till now Virsaviya gets a lot of support from her fans on Instagram, who call her story a true inspiration. She adds, “My heart is different, but it makes me completely unique and I love that.”

It’s inspiring to see how parents embrace and support their children, celebrating their uniqueness despite their differences. For example, little Tessa, born without a nose, earned the charming nickname “Voldemort,” and she proudly embraces her individuality with confidence, bolstered by the unwavering support of her family.