Heart Foundation Each year, more than 300,000 Aussie school kids take part in the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart program. Every one of them is special – but nine-year-old Xavier Simpson is more inspiring than most. Xavier was born with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare inherited condition that affects the body’s connective tissues, which are responsible for supporting and structuring the skin, blood vessels, bones and organs. Some people with EDS also have heart defects, and this is the case with Xavier. His aortic valve does not properly control the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the rest of his body. This means Xavier is prone to fatigue and breathlessness.