Wladyslaw Mintus Gives Back

[mintusaurus 36]

VHLM Rookie Gives Back to the Community

Mintusaurus – February 8, 2024

 

Wladyslaw Mintus sat with the team of Pediatric Cardiology doctors and nurses at Mississauga Hospital, talking about the challenges he faced as a kid who was born with heart issues. He talked with them about his childhood surgeries, the fears he had been concerned about, and difficulty he experienced physically and mentally in pursuing his hockey career. Wladyslaw was born with a congenital heart defect, Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), in layman's terms, a hole in his heart. While common, it was big enough that it warranted open heart surgery in order to close the hole. While treating the hole, they also found a valve with a small leak, which they addressed in a later surgery.

 

He healed well after his surgeries and doctors found no reason to restrict his activities, telling his parents that he can set his own limits. If he feels bad, stop and tell his parents. As Wlad grew he began to understand more of what had happened to him when he was young. Incredibly appreciative of the care he got when he was younger, and had always wanted to give back in some way.

 

That brings us to today. Wladyslaw, after meeting with the care teams, went to the pediatric cardiology unit and met with the patients there. One of the pediatric nurses told us that, “It was great to meet him, but it was even better watching him interact with the young kids. To show them that they could have a normal life and that they are not “different” than the other kids, meant the world to them.” Wladyslaw brought with him team Jerseys and hats to the kids. He was also goaded into a mini Chel tournament with the kids. “He held his own, but let's just say, his skills on the ice don’t translate to the virtual world,” said Xavier, the winner of the improvised tournament. He also had another surprise in store, tickets. He gave a stack of tickets for the kids and pediatric cardiology team to a suite at the next home game, where they will be his guests for the game and will give the kids a tour of the facilities and a meet and greet with the rest of the team before the game.

 

Talking with me after the visit, Mintus said, “I just wanted to give a little something back. Growing up in this sort of situation, I know how it can feel being in the hospital for periods of time. Anything I can do to provide a respite from the poking and testing that goes on daily, is something that brings not only myself joy, but hopefully joy to those that need it.” His parents said of him, “that even when he was in the hospital, he would try to cheer up the other patients around him. That was just the type of person that he was.” Mintus says that he owes it all to his parents, who he said instilled these traits within him when he was a boy. He is looking forward to hopefully spending more time with the kids at the hospital in the future.