Comforting, Supportive and Filled with Kindness

For months, Breanna and Hayden Erwin carried aFor months, Breanna and Hayden Erwin carried a weight no parents should have to bearweight no parents should have to bear.

At just 5 years old, their daughter, Rikki Leigh, was diagnosed with hypermotor orbitofrontal epilepsy, a rare form of epilepsy that causes frequent nighttime seizures. Rikki Leigh was experiencing more than 30 seizures a night. What followed was a season filled with medical appointments, treatment plans, sleepless nights and constant uncertainty.

Every night brought new worries.  Every doctor’s appointment brought added information to process. Every decision felt important.

Like any parents facing a serious diagnosis, Breanna and Hayden wanted answers and the best possible care for their daughter. During their search, they were referred to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, so they began their trip from their home in Freeport, Fla., to Memphis, Tenn., for specialized treatment. 

What the Erwins did not know at the time was that they would find more than expert medical care; they would find a community. 

For families traveling to Le Bonheur, the journey involves much more than packing a suitcase. Families arrive carrying fear, exhaustion and the emotional strain that comes with watching a child face a serious medical condition, in addition to being away from the familiarity of their own home. 

More than anything, we finally belonged somewhere and felt cared for. There was comfort that if we needed something as simple as a toothbrush, a blow dryer or even just guidance, it was only a few steps away. All of our stays at FedExFamilyHouse have been the same: comforting, supportive and filled with kindness.

When the Erwins arrived in Memphis, they found comfort and support at FedExFamilyHouse, free lodging for out-of-town families receiving care at Le Bonheur.  

“Our experience at FedExFamilyHouse was truly indescribable,” Breanna shared. “For the first time in a long time, we felt like we could exhale.”

Those moments of relief became some of the most meaningful parts of their journey. Between appointments and treatments, Rikki Leigh and her sister, Stevie, found opportunities to simply be kids. Whether it was enjoying special goodies and toys back at FedExFamilyHouse, spending time together as a family or taking a trip to the Memphis Zoo, those small moments provided a sense of normalcy during a season that often felt anything but normal.

For Breanna and Hayden, having a place where they could stay together as a family made all the difference. 

“More than anything, we finally belonged somewhere and felt cared for. There was comfort that if we needed something as simple as a toothbrush, a blow dryer or even just guidance, it was only a few steps away,” said Breanna. “All of our stays at FedExFamilyHouse have been the same: comforting, supportive and filled with kindness.” 

Their close proximity to Le Bonheur eased the burden of travel and allowed the family to remain together throughout Rikki Leigh’s treatment journey. It also provided something that can be difficult to find during a medical crisis — a sense of comfort, stability and belonging.  

Just as meaningful was the care they received at Le Bonheur’s Neuroscience Institute. After searching for answers across multiple states, the Erwins found a team that gave them hope when they thought they were running out of options. More than expert medical care, they found providers at Le Bonheur who, according to Breanna, “treated Rikki Leigh as if she were their own daughter,” making the entire family feel seen, supported and informed every step of the way. 

While Rikki Leigh’s medical journey continues, so does the support that surrounds her. The Erwins still travel to Memphis every few months for specialized treatment and follow-up care at Le Bonheur. Those trips feel different now. They know where they’ll stay, and they know they’ll be welcomed. But most of all, they know they are surrounded by people who care.

Today, Rikki Leigh is 10 years old and experiencing less than five seizures a night, giving the Erwin family renewed hope for the future. When the Erwins return to Memphis, they return to more than a hospital; they return to a place where they find comfort during one of the most difficult seasons of their lives — a place where they can stay together, focus on Rikki Leigh, and, for the first time in a long time, simply exhale.

Because of the generosity that sustains FedExFamilyHouse, families like the Erwins continue to find comfort, community and a place to call home while their child receives care from Le Bonheur.