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Brandon, Quinn, and Emily Tinsley with friends at the 2024 Birmingham Heart Walk. (American Heart Association)

When Emily and Brandon Tinsley learned their son would be born with a heart defect, they didn’t know what life would hold for their family. Now, six years later, they’re about to see their little slugger hit the field for his first season playing baseball.

Read on to learn about this local family’s story that went from hospitals to Little League and how you can help save lives by signing up for an upcoming Heart Walk in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville benefiting the American Heart Association.

A Birmingham family’s heart journey

After their daughter turned five, Emily and Brandon Tinsley found out they would soon have a son—whom they named Quinn. As Emily’s pregnancy went by smoothly, their excitement grew about what was ahead for their family.

But at a 24-week OBGYN appointment, their joy turned to concern when they learned their unborn son Quinn had a heart defect.

After testing at UAB Maternal Fetal Medicine and UAB Cardiology, Quinn’s diagnosis was confirmed—he had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and Double Inlet Left Ventricle (DILV). Both are rare congenital heart defects.

HLHS prevents the left side of the heart from pumping enough blood to the body and requires surgery soon after birth.

DILV occurs when the left and right atria of the heart both drain into the left ventricle. This means the heart only has one functional pumping chamber instead of the usual two.

Quinn was also diagnosed with Tachycardia—which means an abnormally rapid heart. This was discovered when Emily was between 32-34 weeks pregnant.

“We were told before Quinn was born that he would have to go through a series of three open-heart surgeries.

My first concerns before Quinn was even born were whether we would ever bring him home, whether we would ever leave the hospital, and whether we would make it through the surgery. I don’t think anyone could ever prepare themselves for having a child with special needs.”
Emily Tinsley

Quinn then + now

Quinn had his first open-heart surgery at just 6 days old, followed by his second open-heart surgery at 3 months old.

“Each surgery that we’ve gone through has had its own set of challenges. But going through something like this puts things into perspective. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but for families going through their own heart journey, there is hope for your own normal.”
Emily Tinsley

Quinn is now six years old and just had his third open-heart surgery in August 2024. After years of having low oxygen levels and it being difficult just to walk up the stairs, Quinn doing well and will soon have the chance to try something new—baseball.

“We’re super excited for him to be able to experience the things other children do.”
Emily Tinsley

Get involved—join a local Heart Walk

Since Quinn was born, the Tinsley family has participated in area Heart Walks benefiting AHA.

If you want to help protect the hearts of those you love, you can sign up for an upcoming AHA Heart Walk and help raise awareness and funds for life-saving research, education programs, and more.

While you can register to walk individually, creating a Heart Walk Team with family and friends is a great reason to get together and join the community to help save lives.

Community Teams play a considerable role in AHA’s Heart Walks. The organization is currently funding more than $20 million in research in Alabama, thanks in large part to events such as the Heart Walk.

2024 Tuscaloosa Heart Walk
- When: Saturday, March 1 | Walk beings 9AM
- Where: Government Plaza, 618 21st Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
- Register

Birmingham Heart Walk
- When: Saturday, March 8 | Walk begins 9AM
- Where: Railroad Park, 1600 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Register

2024 Huntsville Heart Walk
- When: Saturday, May 10 | Walk begins 9AM
- Where: Big Spring International Park, 200 Church St, SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
- Register

To learn more about the American Heart Association, visit their website or follow them on Facebook + Instagram.

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