Blessed by Pope John Paul II when he was 12 years old, transplant recipient believes in miracles
Christophe Lafontant’s uplifting keynote speech set the tone for Awareness Day on March 26 at the Academy of the Holy Angels. Lafontant, who has survived multiple organ transplants, used his personal health challenges to demonstrate the power of perseverance and faith.
“Victory amidst defeat is always possible,” Lafontant told Angels in Grades 6-12 as he took center stage.
This graduate of Bergen Catholic High School, Columbia University, and the Health Coach Institute is a living miracle. When he was six years old, Lafontant collapsed from a heart block and heart failure. His mother, who is a physician, rushed him to the hospital. His doctors did not think he would live to see his 7th birthday. He was soon referred to the National Institute of Health in Maryland, where he received the pacemaker implant that helped him for the next decade.
“I didn’t want my friends to judge me,” he said.
Instead, Lafontant did his best to keep up with other boys of his age, relying on the strong support system provided by his family, friends, church, and the local community.
Lafontant was blessed by Pope John Paul II when he was 12 years old, and he believes that miracles have been happening for him ever since. To date, Lafontant has survived two heart transplants, a kidney transplant, gall bladder removal, lung collapse, pain medication drug overdose, respirator failure, thyroid cancer, a pulmonary embolism, and a tracheotomy.
He resisted the idea of his initial heart transplant, but he was ultimately motivated to jettison the pain, exhaustion, nausea, and weakness. After the operation, he met a personal trainer who was in excellent condition. At first, Lafontant said he was not interested in working with this man. Then, the trainer shared that he was also a transplant recipient.
“Danny became one of my biggest role models,” Lafontant recalled.
Lafontant wanted to graduate from high school on time, and took summer courses so he could finish Bergen Catholic with his class. He received an early decision acceptance to Columbia, and decided he would live on campus. As a college student, Lafontant began drinking and using drugs to fit in with his new friends. The result was the crushing realization that his transplanted heart had been damaged beyond repair. He would need a second heart.
“I destroyed a precious gift from God,” Lafontant stated succinctly.
At 27, he learned that he has myofibrillar myopathy, a rare genetic disease that attacks muscle tissue. Lafontant is wheelchair bound, ventilator dependent, and requires a full-time, live-in personal aide, but nothing stops him from achieving his goals. He recently completed his life coaching certification, and strives to assist people manage their stress, depression, and anxiety. Lafontant also works with the pediatric transplant team at New York Presbyterian Children’s Hospital, where he counsels children who are awaiting heart transplants.
Two years ago, he began speaking at schools, libraries, and churches to inspire others. His story, “It Started with the Heart,” is the subject of an award-winning short documentary that is being made into a full-length feature. Lafontant’s memoir is entitled, “One Man, Three Hearts, Nine Lives.”
He is a member of the Bergen Catholic High School Hall of Fame and was (201) Magazine’s 2023 Influencer of the Year.
“Live your life in faith and realize all of your potential,” he told his audience at AHA. “Life is going to try to break you spiritually, financially, emotionally. I choose victory every time.”
Academy of the Holy Angels Director of Mission & Ministry Joan Connelly invited Lafontant, whose message married perfectly with this year’s social justice theme, “Call to Family, Community, and Participation.” Connelly organizes this spring workshop series, which focuses on a different aspect of Catholic social teaching each year. In addition to the keynote, 2024 opportunities included talks by Angels who attended the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, two students who recently returned from Operation Smile mission trips to India, alumnae whose careers promote community participation, and much more.
