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Derek Fletcher

@derek_fletcher

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40,000 children a year are born with a heart defect. 10,000 of those kids are born into and will forever be in critical care.

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Childhood trauma… My brother died when he was young. My mother was in and out of insane asylums. I lived with my grandparents a lot, (Thank you, God) who were old and tired, but did their best. In and out of juvie-jails. Ran away when I was 14, to find a father I’d hoped was a hero… but he wasn’t. I was on the road to hell. No direction. No compass. And then a judge gave me an opportunity… prison or military service. And I never looked back. Lacking a positive father figure, I simply did the opposite of what my parents would do, whenever making life decisions.
No one ever promised this life would be easy. It’s just… life. Work on yourself. Do good. Keep the faith. 👊🏼👊🏽👊🏿 Thank you Ed by @derek_fletcher

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10 days ago

@bigloud by @derek_fletcher

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15 days ago

From @welcometothewerleys . It’s a challenging and difficult life to say the least. Congenital heart disease affects 40,000 children every year. I’m grateful I don’t have it. So I’m gonna go out and do something good for someone today. You won’t see it. You won’t hear about it or see a video of it. But it’s gonna happen. I hope you do the same. Be grateful. 👊🏼❤️❤️‍🩹 by @derek_fletcher

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17 days ago

Few things excite me like seeing a bunch of grown ass men come to work with their sleeves rolled up and ready to get dirty. You know what I’m talking about. The guys you call when you’re having a problem. It’s usually Friday and 105° outside. Can I get an amen for the guys who mow the grass and trim the edges, or fix water leaks and fix air conditioners! Below zero temperatures during the holidays… but they show up anyway. The linemen that keep the power grid going and we never think about them until we’re out of electricity. I’m talking about the guys that are walking the beam… The builders of buildings. The maintainers of people’s dreams. Wrenching wrenches to fix your car. Nailing nails and screwing screws. The guys on the rooftops when the sun is so hot all you can do is look at ‘em out the window. I’m talking about those guys. 12 hours a day of hard living. And most of them wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s just something about looking at a finished project, the job you participated in, when it’s done. Your craft. Done right. There’s satisfaction in that. The kind a lot of office workers never get. So here’s to the blue collar crowd. I appreciate what you do, especially if you’re good at it. by @derek_fletcher

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2 months ago

Maddox Hembrey is one of our local heroes. He attends school in Newport, Arkansas, plays baseball and football, and has the personality of someone you’d love to know. He’s sweet and humble and kind. Most of all, he’s a heart warrior! Maddox had a heart transplant. He makes it look easy, but there’s nothing easy about living with CHD. I’ve been working on this trophy a while, waiting for just the right finishing touch… this picture of Maddox wearing his number 1 shirt says it all. Gosh, these kids go through so much just to do everyday things. We love you Maddox! Expect this symbol of our admiration in the mail soon. Way to go, Champ! ❤️

Dear Maddox,

My name is Derek and I enjoy building trophies for champions like you. I know you’ve earned trophies and awards before, but this is different. It’s made especially with you in mind. Unique, like you my friend.

Orange is one of your school colors. And I know you’ve earned trophies playing football and baseball, which is so awesome. And I chose this particular picture of you because of the number one on your shirt.

Being a heart warrior is so hard. And yet you make it look easy. Our daughter Annabelle is a heart warrior, too. So we know about all the Children’s Hospital visits, surgeries, clinics, caths, and meds. And yet, you keep working through it and smiling. That’s why you are our hero!

This trophy is made on behalf of the many people who support A Heart Like Mine Foundation, to recognize you as the CHAMPION you are! We hope every time you see it you’ll remember that you are admired and loved by people everywhere.

Sincerely,

Derek and Stephanie
A Heart Like Mine Foundation by @derek_fletcher

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2 months ago

I’d like to thank the folks who donate trophies for me to re-engineer into thoughtful awards for other truly deserving people. Much appreciated.

July 25, 2026

Dear Jowett,

My name is Derek. I’m Annabelle’s dad. I know you’ve been through a lot with your heart, and we think about you often.

What impresses me most is your beautiful smile. That is a sign of strength and courage. You are such a fighter! You are a HEART WARRIOR! We want to honor you with this trophy as a token of our admiration and love for you. I know yellow and blue are two of your favorite colors, and you like race cars. So I made it happen with a blue and yellow race car on your trophy! This is a very special and unique trophy, Jowett, like you.

Through A Heart Like Mine Foundation, you are adored and appreciated by so many people, and they want to recognize you with this award, as you, Sir, are a CHAMPION in life. If ever I can help you, please call.

Yours Truly,

Derek and Stephanie Fletcher
A Heart Like Mine Foundation by @derek_fletcher

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3 months ago

Dear Gannon,

I cannot express in words how concerned we have been for you. You are such a tough guy. But I know it hurts anyway. We are Derek and Stephanie Fletcher from A Heart Like Mine Foundation. We keep in touch with your mommy so that we know how you are doing. We know you’ve had a rough time of it lately, and we are so looking forward to you getting better and going home.

Did you know that you are one of our heroes? You are. Just like Spider-Man is one of yours. I like to make trophies for champions such as you. The people who give to A Heart Like Mine are all so proud of you and your courage. I saw Spidey the other day and told him about you so he is definitely aware that you are the man!

Your trophy is as unique and awesome as you are. I will be mailing it to you soon! Check out that cool Spider Car! We hope you will enjoy it. If ever you’re needing a little extra bravery… just rub the top of Spider-Man’s head, and he will send you some of his courage to help. Meanwhile, if you need something, give us a call. We are thinking about you always.

All our love,

Derek and Stephanie
A Heart Like Mine Foundation by @derek_fletcher

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3 months ago

No matter what’s going on in our lives, we never forget the children who suffer from Congenital Heart Disease. In fact, it’s the reason I do just about everything. CHD is the leading cause of death from birth defects among infants in the United States and globally. These kids are tough and resilient because they have to be, not because they want to be. They deserve to be recognized as the CHAMPIONS in life they are… fighting for their lives… every day.

I enjoy making unique trophies for these heart warriors, specific to each child. It’s the least I can do.

@officialcamilosstory @soniaavilalozano

Dear Camilo,

We are Derek and Stephanie Fletcher, mom and dad to our daughter, Annabelle. Annabelle is nine and in the third grade. She was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, and has had three open heart surgeries, along with many, many Cath procedures. Like you, Annabelle loves Roblox and Minecraft.

We watch your videos and pictures, and your mom does an outstanding service by explaining things to us on social media. In fact, your entire family is AWESOME!

I’m a race car/boat driver and I enjoy turning racing trophies into trophies for outstanding heart warriors such as you. I make them for CHAMPIONS in life.

I’d like to add that you are a very talented and intelligent young man. You have much charisma, and you are a rock star in the way you handle what’s thrown at you from a medical perspective.

My family, and those of us who support A Heart Like Mine Foundation, are proud of you. And we want to recognize you and your accomplishments with this trophy. It is as beautiful and unique as you are… I sincerely hope you like it.

Yours Truly,

Derek and Stephanie
A Heart Like Mine Foundation by @derek_fletcher

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3 months ago

For the last couple of years, the girls’ piano teacher Jeannie-Pete Whitener, had a brilliant idea of playing their recital at assisted living homes. And we love it. Never have you seen a more appreciative audience! It’s been wonderful watching Madeline improve over the years, and now we get to watch Annabelle as she begins. Madeline brought down the house with some Aerosmith! It’s a #FamilyTradition. #pianomusic by @derek_fletcher

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3 months ago

I woke up today thinking about the fathers, and moms Stephanie Fletcher, in hospital rooms with their ill children. They’d give anything to be home with their wives and kids. My prayers are for them. I’m so grateful to be home with my people. Don’t blink. #HappyFathersDay 💪🏼💪🏽💪🏾 by @derek_fletcher

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4 months ago

Let the good times roll 👍🏼. #honda #trail #CT70 by @derek_fletcher

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4 months ago

by @derek_fletcher

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4 months ago