Cory Wharton Opens Up About 3-Year-Old Daughter Maya’s Second Open-Heart Surgery, Saying Their Prayers Were “Heard and Answered”
Cory Wharton is feeling grateful after a long and emotional week in the hospital with his 3-year-old daughter, Maya. The Challenge star shared a heartfelt update following Maya’s recent open-heart surgery — her second major operation since birth.
Posting on Instagram, Cory, 34, wrote, “Our prayers were heard and answered.” Alongside photos of himself holding Maya in a hospital bed, he expressed deep gratitude for his daughter’s strength and resilience. “She did amazing,” he said, adding that her recovery so far has been steady and encouraging.
Maya was born with tricuspid atresia, a rare congenital heart defect in which the heart valve that controls blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle doesn’t form properly. It’s a condition that requires multiple surgeries during the early years of life, something Cory and his family have openly discussed with their followers since Maya’s birth in 2022.
In his post, Cory reflected on the fear and faith that come with watching your child undergo such a serious procedure. “You never get used to this,” he wrote. “Seeing your baby hooked up to all these machines — it’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But she’s a fighter. Every time, she proves it again.”
This latest surgery marks another milestone in Maya’s ongoing treatment plan. She underwent her first open-heart surgery shortly after birth, followed by another procedure to help improve her oxygen levels. Doctors have closely monitored her condition, and while the road has been long, Cory says her medical team is optimistic about her future.
He also took a moment to thank the medical staff who cared for Maya. “These doctors and nurses are angels. They do things most people could never imagine doing — and they do it with so much compassion,” he wrote. “I can’t thank them enough for how they’ve treated our family.”
Throughout his daughter’s health journey, Cory has shared updates with honesty and hope, often reminding followers that every small victory matters. He’s also spoken about how the experience has strengthened his faith and brought his family closer. “When you go through something like this, you realize what really matters,” he said in an earlier post. “It’s love, family, and faith. Everything else feels small.”
In his latest message, he emphasized how grateful he feels for the community that’s supported them along the way. “Thank you to everyone who’s been praying for Maya. Your messages, your love, your faith — it all means more than you know,” he wrote.
Maya’s recovery will continue under close medical supervision, but for now, Cory says the family is taking it one day at a time. “She’s resting, healing, and smiling again,” he shared. “That’s all that matters. Our little girl is strong — stronger than I could ever be.”
Cory’s heartfelt update reminds everyone of the power of resilience, faith, and love — even in the most difficult moments. His message to parents going through similar challenges was simple but profound: “Never stop believing. Miracles happen every day.”
