Madison's Success Story


Madison Simon (left) poses with Miss USA

Published on: 05/30/2023

Madison was born with a birth defect of the heart called truncus arteriosus.  She had open-heart surgery at Nicklaus Children’s when she was just 4 days-old, followed by numerous procedures and surgeries throughout her childhood.

Baby Madison

But that didn’t stop her from being an active child. In fact, Madison danced from the time she was 4 until 17, when her delicate heart didn’t allow her to continue the rigorous demands that competitive dancing brings. Still, that didn’t stop Madison from following her dreams of the stage.

She is now competing for the title of Miss Florida Teen USA to advocate for other teens like her.  Madison also dreams of becoming a pediatric cardiac ICU nurse one day to care for children going through a similar medical journey. Let’s show Madison some love!

Madison volunteering at Spread Joy

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