Heartbound Voices is a space for parents of all kinds to tell their story about their child's congenital heart defect, in their own words.

Why This Exists

A CHD diagnosis can turn your whole world upside down and can feel incredibly lonely. When I was in the thick of it, I searched for other people's stories online. It helped me feel less alone. Those stories I found helped me believe I could get through this, the way other parents had before me.

You are not alone. There is a wide community of people who have lived some version of what you're living right now. Heartbound Voices exists to bring that community together in one place, in the words of others who understand, even if you never meet them.

This space is for you whether your child is thriving, still fighting, or gone too soon, whether your pregnancy continued or ended in loss. No matter how your story went or is still unfolding, you're welcome here.

How It Works

Every submission is read, but nothing is edited. If your story fits our basic guidelines, it will be published exactly as you wrote it.

Heartbound Voices is not a one-time collection or a single edition; it's a living, ongoing space.

You can submit under your full name, your first name only, or anonymously using a pseudonym.

What This Is Not

This is a space for stories, not a substitute for medical care or mental health support. If you're ever in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) can help.

About the Founder

I'm Terra Brigando, a licensed therapist and a heart mom. This site exists because I know how hard it is to find someone who's been where you are, and I wanted to make that a little easier for the next person.