When Franklin Dunn Braggs II was born on August 21, 2021, he looked perfect to the outside world, weighing 6 pounds, 15.5 ounces. But inside, his tiny body was fighting a chaotic battle before his first breath. Frank was born with Heterotaxy Syndrome (Situs Ambiguus), a rare condition where the internal organs are misarranged.
For Frank, this diagnosis came with a terrifying domino effect of medical challenges: he was born without a spleen (asplenia), complex intestinal malrotation, and most critically, a combination of severe Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs). His heart had a complete AV canal defect, an uncommitted VSD, and a double outlet right ventricle (DORV). In short, his heart structure was fundamentally incorrect, and without immediate intervention, it could not support his life.
At just four months old, Frank underwent his first major open-heart surgery—a modified Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt—to stabilize blood flow to his lungs. It was only the beginning.
Frank’s story is not measured in milestones of height and weight, but in resilience and surgical interventions. By the time he turned three years old, Frank had endured:
- Five Major Surgeries: Including a Bidirectional Glenn, a LADD procedure to correct his intestinal rotation, a full AV Canal repair, and a baffle revision with an RV-PA conduit.
- Three Cardiac Catheterizations: Required for diagnostics, imaging, and collateral coiling to manage his complex anatomy.
- Life-Sustaining Medication: A daily regimen of antibiotics (due to his missing spleen) and cardiac medication.
- Constant Therapy: Intensive speech, physical, and occupational therapy to overcome the developmental hurdles associated with chronic illness.
In August 2024, just one day after celebrating his third birthday, Frank faced his fifth major surgery for permanent pacemaker placement to protect his heart’s rhythm.
When you read his medical file, you see a complex and fragile case study. When you meet Frank, you see a miracle in motion. He is a warrior. He has faced more physical trauma in three years than most people encounter in a lifetime, yet his spirit is unbreakable.
Today, Frank is thriving. This past August, a milestone that once felt impossible became a reality: Frank started kindergarten. He loves being outdoors, but his greatest joy isn't his toys or his time at school—it’s being a big brother. The way he cares for his younger sibling, with the same protectiveness that we have felt for him, is a testament to the immense size of his unstoppable heart.
We share Frank’s story, #FightLikeFrank, because he is proof that breakthroughs in CHD research are saving lives. Funding for heart disease isn't just a statistic to us; it is the reason our son is starting kindergarten, laughing in our living room, and teaching his sibling how to play. Frank’s journey isn’t over, but thanks to medical science and the sheer will to survive, he has beaten every statistic. We are sharing his story to give hope to other CHD families and to advocate for continued funding to ensure every heart warrior has the chance to fight like Frank.