More About US

Born Brave Boutique was founded by a wonderful family of four, one of which has CHD called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. This boutique is inspired by their heart warrior, Melanie and all of the nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers that were dedicated to Melanie's care. 

Melanie was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome with Double Outlet Right Ventricle during our 20 week prenatal scan. During this scan Natalie also had a rare diagnosis of Placenta Accreta which progressed to stage three, Placenta Percreta before Melanie's birth. Because of both of these complications, the Malcolms relocated from Knoxville Tennessee to Nashville Tennessee to be closer to specialists that were familiar with both cases.  Natalie and Melanie were the first case Vanderbilt had ever seen with both complications in one pregnancy. Both very rare, both life threatening.  

Melanie was born at 34 weeks and remained in the hospital for 8 months.  During this time she underwent 3 heart surgeries and will receive another when she is 4 years old.

Through our journey we were reminded time and again how strong, brave, and resilient every child is. The bravery of Congenital Heart Disease should be celebrated and the awareness of CHD should be spread.

This journey emphasised the happiness found in the smallest things.  When you are unable to hold, care for, or dress your child everything small is appreciated. Every bow, every stuffie, every blanket is special and is celebrated.

The days when you were able to hold your baby.

 

Their first outfit.

Being stable enough to leave the room for a short hallway walk.

The first time Melanie felt the sun.

The small interactions Melanie and her brother, Caleb, were able to have and the relationship they built.

The family hallway strolls.

All of these simplistic moments were extraordinary milestones. When the future is so unpredictable enjoying every moment, no matter how out of the ordinary they are, is important.  These small gifts we received during our 8 months in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU brought so much joy to a challenging time in our lives. 

Born Brave Boutique was created to reciprocate the love and support we were so fortunate to have during our time in the PCICU.  Our mission is to use a portion of our profits to support CHD warriors and their families while they are in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU.

Through this shop, Born Brave Boutique, our goal is to bring awareness to Congenital Heart Disease which affects 1 in 100 children, making it the leading birth defect in the world. Our mission is to bring awareness to the doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff that invest their hearts into their work. Our mission is to bring awareness to the families that fight tirelessly alongside and for their child. Our mission to bring awareness to every person's strength and kindness.

By wearing the items sold in our boutique, you are bringing strength to every heart warrior's story and every healthcare professional that fought tirelessly for their survival.  Shopping at Born Brave Boutique also gives you the opportunity to bring happiness,through our donations, to CHD families at the most challenging moments in their lives.

Please join us in spreading the awareness of CHD, the appreciation for the healthcare that makes healing a possibility, while bringing joy to some of the darkest times these families are facing.

Spread your love, Spread your kindness, Spread Awareness. 

-Come fight the good fight-

Born Brave Boutique

Love Matt, Natalie, Caleb, Melanie