Le Bonheur Pumpkin Run - Memphis, TN

Run for Kids like Audrey.

When Barbara Leonard was pregnant, she found out her daughter had spina bifida. She and her husband, Guy, were shocked and scared by the diagnosis as doctors advised that their baby was unlikely to ever walk or talk. Luckily, Le Bonheur was there.

After Audrey was born, she spent a week in Le Bonheur’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit receiving expert care. Le Bonheur provided the Leonard family with resources on spina bifida as well as their own nurse to answer questions and help arrange appointments.

Audrey underwent her third surgery last summer and was hospitalized at Le Bonheur for six weeks in a halo traction, to straighten her spine, while she recovered. Audrey was unable to leave the hospital but was entertained by Child Life specialists, movie nights and an in-room game show. Audrey also got to attend the opening of Seacrest Studio at Le Bonheur and even got to meet Ryan Seacrest.

Today, 8-year-old Audrey returns to Le Bonheur every six months for regular checkups. Audrey’s assigned nurse helps her family coordinate appointments, so she is able to see all of her specialists — neurology, orthopedics, urology, occupational therapy and physical therapy — in one day instead of having to make multiple trips to the hospital.

“Receiving Audrey’s spina bifida diagnosis was scary, but Le Bonheur has been there for us from the beginning and has provided the resources we need to help Audrey thrive,” Barbara said. “Le Bonheur is our second home, and we are so grateful for the care that Audrey receives.”

Thanks to Le Bonheur, Audrey is walking, talking and thriving!

The Leonard family is so thankful for Le Bonheur Children's. When you participate in this year’s Pumpkin Run, you are making a difference for kids like Audrey.