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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 24, 2006 His fighting spirit: pulling together for Alex A community rallies to help a family pay mounting medical expenses for a sick 5-month-old boy By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune In one hospital or another for most of his young life, 5-month-old Alexander Stephens fights the tubes that help him breathe and eat, his mom Racheal Stephens said. He won't stay in the position nurses put him in. His fighting spirit, and that of his family, has won the hearts of his caregivers, though, who have established a fund to help his family deal with mounting medical bills. "You meet a lot of families, but they are really special," said Deneen Silva, a nurse at Southern Oregon Pediatrics, where Alex is a patient. Alex has CHARGE Syndrome, a genetic abnormality that causes a cluster of symptoms including heart defects; eye, ear and nose malformations; swallowing and breathing difficulties; facial palsy; and brain abnormalities that can cause developmental delays, Stephens said. He has spent only one month and 11 days of his life at home, she said. Alex attracted community attention in late November when he stopped breathing one afternoon at home and the quick response of Medford police officer Tim Garr got him breathing again. Advertisement Since then, he has been recovering at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland. His parents Leon and Racheal Stephens, who own The Store, a market and deli at 2037 Roberts Road, take turns traveling back and forth to be with Alex in Portland and to tend the store and Alex's sister Meagan, 7, in Medford. Racheal Stephens' older son, Jacob, 11, lives with his dad, but will visit for Christmas. They've had plenty of experience with the grueling routine since Alex was born July 11. When Racheal Stephens was in labor at Providence Medford Medical Center's BirthPlace, the couple's only concern was that the baby might be breech. But Alex arrived full term — and only 4 pounds, 14 ounces, with a cluster of birth defects. He spent his first month at Rogue Valley Medical Center's neonatal intensive care unit, ringing up a $104,000 medical bill, Stephens said. Medical insurance paid all but $32,000, she said. As small business owners, the family has struggled to qualify for government insurance programs that might provide more complete coverage, she said. After a month at home, Alex was stricken with pneumonia, putting him in the hospital in Portland for another month. He was home for six days before he had open-heart surgery Oct. 19 at Doernbecher to repair holes in his heart wall. After five weeks recovering, he was home for five days before he stopped breathing and was rescued by Garr. During this hospital stay, he's had a gastric surgery to prevent his stomach contents from leaking into his lungs, the cause of his pneumonia. Friends and family estimate medical bills likely have topped $400,000. "They are just scraping by, making minimum payments on everything," Silva said. "They are worried about the baby, so the bills just pile up in boxes," said Liz Stromsnes, Leon Stephens' mom, who lives in Springfield and helps however she can. Racheal Stephens said her family, who own Star Catering, Joe's Sports Bar & Grill and the Hungry Woodsman, also have helped out. Leon Stephens sold his GMC Yukon after Alex was born to save money on car payments. He got a 1984 Ford Bronco from his dad, but the Bronco's poor gas mileage makes it expensive just to get across town, Racheal Stephens said. The family uses a newer car to go to Portland, but still struggles, Stromsnes said. They sleep in the hospital room with Alex to save on hotel costs. "The financial obstacles are appearing to become more difficult for the family to overcome," said Silva, who worked with the family to set up a benefit account for Alex. The account in the name of Alexander Stephens is at Rogue Federal Credit Union and donations can be made at any branch. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485 or at [email protected] Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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