Support Graham Leeper

Our dear friends, Jessica and Jimmy Leeper, had quite the surprise when their first baby was unexpectedly born 10 weeks early on August 22, 2019. Baby Graham came into the world at 3.14 lbs and was helicoptered down to UC Davis to receive the best possible care. See the bottom of this post for the birth story in Jessica's words.

Jessica and Jimmy have been handling this like the rock stars they are.  Even in the midst of trauma, they have been compassionate to others, giving up the room offered to them at the Ronald McDonald house for people who need it more than them.  However, even the strongest of people can always use some help from their community.  Baby Graham will need to spend 4-8 weeks in the hospital and the bills are surely starting to add up.  Jessica and Jimmy had planned to switch to a different insurance plan with more coverage during open enrollment, but since Graham came early, his birth is on their old plan. The insurance company won't retroact a new  plan to his birth.  Jessica and Jimmy are stuck with  a $14,500 deductible, and are also incurring extra costs for gas to and from the UC Davis Hospital. Additionally, Jessica is a teacher and would have to go back to work in 8 weeks(just when Graham will be getting out of the hospital).  Unfortunately, if she stays home, the cost of a sub will be taken out her pay. 

Please consider donating to help Jessica and Jimmy so we can take the financial burden off their minds, and allow them to focus on spending time with Graham and giving him strength to grow into a strong, healthy  little guy.

Here is Jessica's birth story from her facebook post:

"3:58 am, Thursday, August 22, 2019 my water broke. Although I didn't know that at the time. You see, I was only 30 weeks along in a typical 40 week gestation period. I knew something was wrong, but didn't want Jimmy to worry. I knew I had to get my classroom set up as I had only been with my students one week, so I got ready for work ignoring the growing cramping aches.
Around 8 am, I knew I couldn't make it through the day to my doctor's appointment at 4 pm. I called Jimmy, told the principal I needed a sub, and called my doctor's office with the help of the school's librarian. The school called an ambulance (triggering the district's EMS system, alerting THE ENTIRE DISTRICT and I was on my way to Rideout Hospital.
When we got to the hospital, I see Jimmy down the hallway doing battle with the security guard. I wasn't registered with the hospital, so security couldn't find me (registering was on our "to do" list for Saturday). I was shouting at him, the EMT's were shouting, and like in a movie, Jimmy busts through those doors and comes running.
We're whisked away to the delivery room, I ask for an epidural (something I did not originally want, but I also never imagined going into labor at school, so there's that). I was told it was too late and to start pushing. In comes pain I've never I've never felt before. I'm screaming. The nurse tells me to stop, I try, but there's an IV that felt like fire in addition to the most intense pain of childbirth. A few more pushes and he's out. I waited an eternity with baited breath to hear a cry. It came, his lungs were developed enough, thank you God.
Everything happened so quickly, I estimate the ambulance arrived around 8:20ish and he was born at 9:19 am. We got to see and touch him before he was life flighted to UC Davis for the best care our region has to offer.
We've been reeling since. Jimmy and I could not have made it through these last few days without the incredible help of friends, family and framily (friends who are family). Jimmy stayed with me the whole time, trying to soothe me. Karen Kam was right outside the room and then stayed with me all day and into the night to make sure I was ok. She's still taking care of us, getting us groceries, making food, and providing endless support. Veronica Carpenter, Katie Senn, and Heidi Hendrickson chipped in for gas, Betty Jo Adamson, Sandy Arguijo, Dad, and Teri stopped by the delivery room. I'm beyond lucky to have such an amazing husband and outstanding group of people who've been visiting, texting, giving time, and energy to power us through the most difficult and wonderful time of our lives."