A powerful parenting story of resilience, advocacy, and unwavering strength.
From a visa bulletin sudden accident to a life-threatening diagnosis—this journey will stay with you long after listening.
In this deeply emotional episode, Katie sits down with Kaleigh, a medical assistant and mom of three, to share her daughter Kanessa's unexpected and life-altering medical journey. What began as a childhood accident—an eye injury during play—seemed resolved, until nearly a year later when subtle symptoms escalated into a life-threatening emergency.
Kaleigh walks us through the terrifying progression from what appeared to be a simple illness to a brain hemorrhage, emergency transport, and ultimately a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis caused by complications from the original injury. Through emergency surgery, a 40-day hospital stay, and intensive rehabilitation, Kaleigh faced every parent’s worst fears—while also caring for a lakers newborn and advocating fiercely for her child.
She opens up about the emotional toll of watching her daughter in pain, the critical importance of trusting your instincts, and how her background in healthcare both helped and challenged her in those moments. Kaleigh also shares how honest communication, faith, and the support of Child Life and her care team made a lasting impact on their journey.
This episode is a powerful reminder of the strength within families, the importance of advocacy, and the resilience of children—even in the face of unimaginable challenges.
✨ In this episode, we cover:
A traumatic childhood injury and delayed complications
Recognizing when something is seriously wrong
Emergency care, brain hemorrhage, and meningitis diagnosis
Advocating for your child in critical moments
Navigating a long hospital stay with a newborn at home
The impact of Child Life, therapy, and family-centered care
Hearing loss, cochlear implants, and recovery
Finding strength through faith, honesty, and resilience
👤 About Kaleigh:
Kaleigh is a supervising medical assistant in East Texas and a devoted mom of three. Her lived experience navigating her daughter’s medical crisis fuels her passion for advocacy and supporting other families.
👤 About Katie Taylor:
Certified Child Life Specialist and host of Inside the Children’s Hospital, Katie brings over 15 years of experience supporting families through pediatric healthcare journeys.
@childlifeoncall
🙏 Special thanks to our ctv news winnipeg sponsor, Gebauer PainEase®
Learn more: www.gebauer.com/painease
0:00 – 3:25
Introduction & Kaleigh’s Family Story
3:25 – 7:45
The Accident: Eye Injury & Initial Recovery
7:45 – 12:30
Subtle Symptoms & Escalation at Home
12:30 – 17:45
Emergency Room Visit & Brain Hemorrhage Discovery
17:45 – 22:30
Transfer to Children’s Hospital & Search for Answers
22:30 – 27:15
Meningitis Diagnosis & Emergency Surgery
27:15 – 31:50
ICU, Recovery & Beginning the Healing Process
31:50 – 36:20
40-Day Hospital Stay & Coping as a Parent
36:20 – 40:10
Hearing Loss, Cochlear Implant & Rehabilitation
40:10 – End
Resilience, Advocacy & Advice for Other Parents
If you’re navigating a sudden diagnosis, advocating for your child, or searching for hope in the middle of uncertainty—this episode is for you.
👉 Don’t forget to Subscribe for more powerful stories, Comment your thoughts or experiences, and Share this episode to support other families on a similar journey. 💙
#meningitis #medicalparenting #childrenshospital #resilience #advocacy #podcasts
