Fox News’ Bret Baier Talks About Raising A Child With A Congenital Heart Defect

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by Alex Alvarez | 6:06 pm, February 17th, 2011

» 7 comments

Fox News host Bret Baier, in his life beyond hosting Special Report, happens to be a father of a child with special needs. He recently opened up to Parents‘ website about the struggles his family has faced caring for his young son, Paul, who was born with a congenital heart defect (and looks exactly like a teeny tiny, red-haired version of Baier), offering a rare glimpse into his life off-camera.

Here, Baier talks about the difficulty of preparing a toddler for something so distressing and potentially traumatic as surgery:

Paul knows he has a special heart and that the doctor has to look at his heart, but I’ll be honest with you: It’s daunting, and nothing like you’ve ever experienced as a parent, having to explain to your son why this is happening and assuring him that it’s going to be okay.

Baier advises parents of children with heart conditions such as his son’s, which are often not diagnosed until after the child is born, to “work with your doctor, have confidence in what’s happening, and have family and friends rally around you,” noting that it isn’t currently known just how prevalent congenital heart conditions happen to be.

Click Here to read the full Parents article

Bret Baier, Congenital Heart Defects, Parenting, Parents

libra blue

I am so sorry to hear this, but with a parent like Bret, I am sure Paul will grow up with a positive outlook and will enjoy a full and happy life. Good luck to the Baier family and every family caring for a special needs child.
AngelPeters

Wishing the Baier family all the best in the years ahead. No doubt little Paul will be dealing with heart issues for several years to come, if not his lifetime.
http://www.mediaite.com Mark Joyella

It’s so great that Bret Baier decided to talk about this, which can only help other families who find themselves in the same situation. My best to Bret, his wife, and of course to Paul.
OxyCon

That’s a cute picture of Paul Baier all dressed up like his Daddy.
TrollJuice

Good thing his employer pays for his health insurance or he would be broke paying medical bills.
Pablo

TrollJuice said:
Good thing his employer pays for his health insurance or he would be broke paying medical bills.

Yeah, he’s got a pretty great employer, doesn’t he? All the best to the little dude.
americanborn

Karma baby karma!