As the founder of Lakewish, a brand that is deeply rooted in the mission to support CHD research, my journey has always been more than just about creating a brand. It’s about giving back, making a difference, and using my experience to help others. One of the driving forces behind Lakewish is my son, Braeden, and his journey with Congenital Heart Defect (CHD). It’s a deeply personal story that changed everything for our family—and it’s the reason why I’m so passionate about supporting CHD research.
The Day Everything Changed
Braeden’s birth story is one I’ll never forget. After 3.5 hours of pushing and a vacuum-assisted delivery, I was exhausted but thrilled to finally meet my son. But when Braeden was born, something felt wrong. He wasn’t crying. I could feel the room shift as the medical team—around 15 professionals—moved into action. I was still numb from the epidural, and the sounds of their hushed voices only added to the tension in the room. They didn’t set him on my chest as promised. Instead, they quickly took him away for testing.
I remember looking at Braeden for the first time, hearing him make soft, gasping sounds as he locked eyes with me. At that moment, I whispered, “Hi, Braeden,” hoping that would comfort him. It was a tiny ray of sunshine amidst the uncertainty and fear. What should’ve been the happiest day of our lives turned into a nightmare. My husband, Josh, and I spent the next few hours alone in the room, waiting for answers. At one point, I asked a nurse, “Will he live?” She simply replied, “I don’t know.”
A Diagnosis We Never Expected
At 6 AM, we finally spoke to a pediatric cardiologist, who told us that Braeden was going to be okay—but he was born with a Congenital Heart Defect called Ebstein’s Anomaly (EA). It’s a rare defect in the tricuspid valve, which regulates blood flow between the right atrium and ventricle. Because the valve doesn’t close fully, deoxygenated blood flows back into the body, which can be dangerous. Braeden’s heart was enlarged, and his atrium was much larger than usual. Although the cardiologist assured us that immediate surgery wasn’t necessary, Braeden would need to see a pediatric cardiologist regularly for follow-up care.
As you can imagine, my mind was racing with questions. What exactly is a congenital heart defect? What had I done wrong during my pregnancy? What did we do next? Why was this happening to us?
Searching for Answers
I immediately began researching Ebstein’s Anomaly. I found two incredible United States surgeons specializing in this rare condition. I joined support groups, reached out to other families affected by CHD, and found comfort in resources from organizations like Conquering CHD and Project Bubaloo.
What struck me the most during my research was the staggering statistic that Congenital Heart Disease is the most common birth defect, affecting 1 in 100 babies born.
A Future Full of Hope
While we’ve come a long way since Braeden’s diagnosis, it’s still a lifelong journey. We’re incredibly lucky that Braeden’s condition is manageable for now, but we know that CHD affects families in different ways. That’s why I’m so passionate about giving back. Part of the mission of Lakewish is to raise awareness and contribute to the research and treatment of CHD.
Our journey with Braeden has instilled in me the importance of supporting causes that matter. And as Lakewish continues to grow, we’re committed to supporting CHD research and the families who are facing similar battles. Every purchase made through Lakewish helps fund organizations dedicated to CHD research, offering hope for a future where no child has to endure what Braeden has faced.
At Lakewish, we believe that every adventure is a chance to create memories, to be with the ones you love, and to give back to the world around us. Braeden’s journey, filled with resilience and hope, has taught us so much. It has shown us the importance of supporting one another and the power of hope in the face of adversity. I’m proud to be using Lakewish as a platform to raise awareness and make a difference in CHD research, and I’m incredibly grateful for the community that continues to support us along the way.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support is invaluable and integral to our cause. Together, we can help support our sweet little heart warrior—and countless others—through this lifelong journey.
