Those passing by the Walker County Civic Center Feb. 9-10 may have noticed the carnival and car show taking place on the property, but not all may have been aware of the festivity’s significance.
Organized by Owensby MotorSports, the event was created to raise money for the family of 5-year-old Brantley Palmer, who was born with only half a heart, which sits on the wrong side of his chest and is turned backwards.
Brantley Palmer, 5, is currently awaiting a much-needed heart transplant, which relatives say could take longer than usual because he is small for a child his age. (Contributed photo)Since coming into the life of Summerville parents Eva and Ross Palmer, the kindergartner has already undergone two open heart surgeries and was awaiting a third. But everything changed last November, when doctors discovered that Brantley’s heart was only functioning at 15 percent, putting him in dire need of a heart transplant.
While the Palmers are hoping for a miracle, the waiting process has been financially taxing.
Patients in need of a transplant may often spend more than six months on the waiting list, but with travel expenses to Atlanta for medical visits piling up, insurance complications to sort out, and the family down to one income with four other children to provide for, paying the bills has become more and more difficult.