Nate was born with a rare heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot, a combination of four heart defects in one. It causes oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart to the rest of the body. Like his sister, Maddy, he also has spina bifida. Nate has undergone two major surgeries for his heart and spine, and he will likely need another heart surgery in his twenties. Nate is proud of his surgical scars and hopes his story will inspire other kids. At his last school, he was named the "heart hero" for the American Heart Association. A social butterfly, Nate’s family nicknamed him the “Little Mayor,” because he loves talking to everyone. He likes Legos®, soccer and making his sister laugh.