Patton was born with a congenital heart defect known as TOF (Tetrology of Fallot). This condition is characterized in part by a large hole between the right and left ventricles of the heart, which allows blood to pass into the body without being oxygenated by the lungs.

At 6-months of age, Patton went into cardiac arrest, faced open-heart surgery, and had his blood supply replaced three times. At the age of 12, he had three open-heart surgeries in one year. All totaled, he has had 8 open-heart surgeries and over 40 procedures. He has spent most of his youth in a hospital.

Despite such overwhelming obstacles, Patton still managed to graduate from high school, often studying against doctor's orders under the covers of his hospital bed using a flashlight.

Patton had an internal pacemaker/defibrillator implanted in his heart, but on Valentine's Day of 2001, the defibrillator malfunctioned and began to deliver accidental shocks. The defibrillator wires were cracked and giving off false readings. Because his heart was so enlarged, with over an inch and a half of scar tissue, implanting a new defibrillator wasn't an option. Patton would have to stay in the hospital.

Fortunately, a doctor at Duke University recommended that Patton be fitted for a LifeVest wearable defibrillator. When Patton was told about the option, he was very excited. "I just kept saying, I can't wait, I can't wait!"

Patton's Mom, Judy, was also thrilled when she heard about the device. "I really wanted him to have a better quality of life than just living in the hospital," she says.

Patton was fitted for the device in April, and for the first time in over two years he was able to go home.

It is doubtful Patton will be eligible for a heart transplant, because his antibody levels are too high and rejection is likely. The only other option is an artificial heart, but that is still years away. In the meantime, the LifeVest offers the only option for a life outside of the hospital.

"We are so thankful it is available," says Judy.

The LifeVest monitors Patton's heart rate, and when it gets too high (sometimes during Duke basketball games) it notifies him so he can do calming techniques.

Although Patton also has to wear a portable IV pump for his medications and must rely on a wheelchair, he has a lot more freedom now that he can stay at home. He loves to read, watch Duke basketball, and sometimes just go out to enjoy a beautiful North Carolina day. He also enjoys playing with his little niece, something he could not do from his hospital bed.

"If it wasn't for the vest, I couldn't live my life," says Patton. Now that he is home, he is considering writing his life story. With the LifeVest, that story may now be a happier one.