Sylvia Prothro Hebert

2009 Great Comebacks^® Award Recipient, West Region

“I feel healthier and happier than I’ve ever felt in my life,” says Sylvia. “Ostomy surgery gave me freedom to do things I wanted – it’s great to be alive.”

At age 9, Sylvia Prothro Hebert began experiencing pain and cramping which was thought to be early puberty. However, further tests revealed the real culprit, Crohn’s disease. Sylvia has since triumphed over her illness, soaring to new heights to fulfill her dream of becoming a flight attendant – and by her records – the first Delta flight attendant with an ileostomy!

At first Sylvia managed her symptoms with medication but flare-ups became a constant companion during college. Her weight dropped to 89 pounds, teeth loosened and hair fell out. At age 21, her intestines were punctured during a colonoscopy and she underwent ostomy surgery.

“I awoke with this ‘thing’ on my side and was in shock – I thought my life was over,” says Sylvia. Emotionally distraught, she entered counseling and learned how to cope with her stoma. Sylvia regained her positive outlook, returned to college and earned her teaching degree. After a few years in the classroom, Sylvia, then 29, left teaching behind to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a flight attendant.

Despite anxiety that her ileostomy would keep her grounded, Sylvia completed Delta’s training course in Atlanta. During a mandatory physical, she learned that airline policy might prevent her from achieving her dream. Her fears were soon replaced with feelings of pride and joy when she was welcomed aboard as a Delta SkyTeam^® member.

Sylvia loved crisscrossing the nation with the SkyTeam^®, and after a few years, was transferred out West. Not only did Sylvia join the Delta Ski/Snowboard team and become an avid racer, earning ribbons in many competitions, she also met her future husband, Paul.

Like many women with Crohn’s disease, Sylvia was concerned about her ability to get pregnant. Fortunately, through in-vitro fertilization treatments, Sylvia became pregnant and gave birth to her first two children. Then, unexpectedly, she became pregnant with her third child, this time naturally!

Today, Sylvia, 42, lives in Park City, UT with Paul and their children, Reese, 5, Garrett, 3 ½, Renee, 1 ½. In addition to skiing, Sylvia has completed two half-marathons and a triathlon. “I feel healthier and happier than I’ve ever felt in my life,” says Sylvia. “Ostomy surgery gave me freedom to do things I wanted – it’s great to be alive.”