On July 17, 2021, Susie and her family departed St. Louis for what was intended to be a fun filled week full of adventure, rest, and relaxation in beautiful Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. On the afternoon of July 21st, their trip of a lifetime turned into tragedy, and a parent’s worst nightmare.

Susie’s son, Lee, was involved in a terrible jet ski accident that left him unconscious in the ocean waters for 30 minutes before help arrived. Lee’s young son witnessed the entire event, and helplessly remained with his Dad until emergency services were notified and Lee was able to be transported to a nearby hospital. Lee’s lungs were flooded with ocean water and he was intubated and sedated to help protect and heal his lungs.

To make matters worse, the hospital requested $15,000 in cash before treatment was even begun, with the threat of transferring Lee to a lesser hospital if that demand was not met. Each subsequent treatment, including labs, scans etc. was an additional amount of money required to be paid in cash to obtain. Adding to frustrations, the language barrier present complicated communications, making an already horrendous situation even more so.

Lee was treated aggressively with IV antibiotics and spent 4 days in a Mexican hospital until he eventually became medically stable enough to return to the United States. On July 24, Lee was airlifted to St. Louis University Hospital where he was then weaned from the ventilator and successfully extubated. And so begins his long journey to full recovery.

Susie and family have incurred both unexpected and significant medical expenses throughout this tragic event, and we ask that if you’re able, you consider donating to help with this hardship.

We thank you, and ask that you keep Lee and family in your thoughts and prayers, and close to heart.