Tim and Bridgette Flack along with their children Madeline and Eli recently went to the state capital to thank elected leaders for their support of Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center and issues that pertain to children’s health care.

During their visits with seven representatives and senators, the Flacks shared their story about how Le Bonheur saved the life of 2-year-old Madeline. In March 2006, Madeline had open heart surgery. Since then she had two more Cath lab procedures. Madeline has also received group and individual feed therapy through Le Bonheur.

The Flacks thanked the leaders for their support of TennCare and SCHIP which allow children’s hospitals like Le Bonheur to offer a breadth of subspecialty services.

“The hospital, the medicine, the technology – all of those things are imperative and amazing. But what really made a difference has been the genuine care we have felt from everyone. This type of care is what Le Bonheur is all about – people who go the extra distance because they love what they do, and they love children,” Bridgette said.

The trip to Nashville, organized by Public Policy and Advocacy at Le Bonheur, is part of an effort to educated elected leaders about the importance of supporting the issues that affect children’s health care.

“We can talk about all the good things Le Bonheur does for children but having a patient and their family speak to elected officials about their personal experience puts a face on Le Bonheur and the importance of children’s healthcare,” said Kristen Bland, corporate director of Public Policy and Advocacy.

“There’s nothing that speaks louder and connects more deeply than the patient’s experience and I'm certain our state legislators will remember Madeline and her Le Bonheur story for a long time.”

The Flacks are also members of Le Bonheur’s Family Partner Council.