2020 was a year that the country will never forget, however, our family was deeply affected beyond COVID-19. We have lived here for approximately 22 years and I never realized what an amazing place LeBonheur Children's Hospital was, until the year 2020. My daughter was pregnant with her first child and our first granddaughter who was due on June 23, 2020. Everything appeared to be going great, Charli's mama was 20 weeks along and went in for her regular ultrasound and the tech found During the scan, her OB found some various heart defects as well as Heterotaxy, (which means she has very unique organs & placement of these organs). They continued with care at LeBonheur for regular scans and check ups during the remainder of the pregnancy and everything went great with the pregnancy and delivery, even with COVID going on. Charli was delivered at Methodist Germantown Hospital, and was transported to LeBonheur where Charli had her first open heart/ bypass surgery at 6 days old, performed by Dr. KnottCraig & Dr. Joshi and their amazing team! This precious baby girl was covered with multiple wires and hooked to so many machines, it was unbelievable to see what a tiny human could withstand! Mommy was the only one able to be at the hospital (due to COVID restrictions) for those LONG 6 weeks and with so much help from the nurses and some amazing physicians, she was able to make it home for us to get to know her before her 2nd surgery, on December 14, 2020.
Fast forward 11 months and our little miracle, angel, precious gift from GOD is healthy and happy and looking forward to a FULL life!! We are so blessed and wish to bless others in need of a safe place to stay while their child is being treated and some comfort in knowing that their child is getting the ABSOLUTE BEST CARE BY THE SOME OF THE BEST PHYSICIANS!!
So, for Charli's birthday every year, I have decided to start this fundraiser so that others are aware of the need for assistance for this house and make sure that others are aware of this great place that is here to help those families in need and something that parents who do not live locally should not have to worry about while their child is being treated at LeBonheur.
Please donate today to help every family who travels to Memphis for their child to get care, has the ability to receive a free, comfortable place to rest for their family. SOEA Region VP Doak Slay sums it up best, "Being a parent and now a grandparent, I find great comfort in knowing there are places like Le Bonheur and FedExFamilyHouse to help our children and provide their families a home away from home".