Broghan's Story: Clubfoot, NICU Days, and Finding Grace in the Unknown

What happens when your first ultrasound becomes the moment everything changes? In this heartfelt episode, Johanna and Peter sit down with Broghan, a pediatric nurse and mom of three whose oldest son, Theo, was diagnosed in utero with bilateral clubfoot during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. What followed was a NICU stay, weeks of early-morning castings, and a terrifying post-surgical complication that nearly turned tragic. Through tears, humor, and hard-earned perspective, Broghan shares what it's like to live both sides of the medical system as the caregiver and as the mom. She opens up about the guilt, fear, and resilience that shaped her journey, and why she now tells other parents, "Whatever pops into your head, ask it. It's not stupid." This episode is an honest reminder that whether your child's diagnosis is rare or common, the emotional toll and the love are universal. In this episode: The 20-week ultrasound that revealed Theo's clubfoot diagnosis Navigating a NICU stay as a first-time mom The day a simple tendon surgery took a turn for the worse How motherhood changed her empathy as a nurse The moment she found peace through the poem Welcome to Holland The advice she wants every parent to hear: "Don't be afraid to ask the question. Don't be afraid to sound dumb. You're not wasting anybody's time. This is your kid. This is your ability to understand and best advocate." 💬 "It wasn't shame and it wasn't embarrassment, it was an uncomfortability of the unknown." Resources from this episode: Welcome to Holland by Emily Peril Kingsley 👣 Learn more or share your story at bornforthestories.com 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Subscribe, rate, and share to help more parents feel seen and supported