Lexi Palmer
Today Lexi is a healthy, happy18-month-old little girl, but a year ago the situation for Lexi
and her family was very different.
At just 7 weeks old, Lexi was diagnosed with infantile botulism, an
illness that can occur when an infant ingests bacteria that produce a toxin inside the body.
The condition can be frightening because it can cause muscle weakness and breathing problems. It is rare: fewer than 100 cases of infantile botulism occur in the United States each year.
But for Lexi’s parents it wasn’t about the other possible 99 cases, it was about their little girl. Lexi spent nearly eight weeks in the hospital, most of that time in an incubator. She endured numerous X-rays. Finally Andrea and Casey Palmer were able to take their baby home. Unfortunately, they also took home an astronomical hospital bill.
While in the hospital, Lexi’s parents sent out daily updates to friends and family about her condition. Luckily, those updates landed in the hands of close family friend Jim Deanen. He thought Kosair Charities might be able to help with the increasing medical bills.
Kosair Charities stepped in and took care of all of Lexi’s medical bills. They also followed up with the family to make sure they had everything they needed. They reached out to therapists who worked with Lexi for several months on speech, occupational and physical therapy.
Today, Lexi is just like any little girl her age. “I am so grateful for them (Kosair Charities),” said Mrs. Palmer.
In the spirit of giving, Lexi and her family sponsored a softball tournament last summer to raise money for Kosair Charities. The tournament raised $2,550, which will go to help other Kosair Kids like Lexi.
Thanks to Kosair Charities and the generous donations brought in each year, more children like Lexi can
lead happy, healthy and normal lives!