New Birmingham-Area Non-Profit Created to Support Families with Special Needs Children

BIRMINGHAM- Sept. 1, 2020 – On her twelfth day of life, Libby Hagan suffered a massive medication overdose at the hands of two nurses and two pharmacists while a patient in the NICU at Brookwood Hospital. As a result, the now 6-year-old, suffered irreversible brain damage and is a quadriplegic. This tragic outcome serves as the foundation of Libby’s Friends.

The family, represented by Leon Ashford and Jamie Moncus of Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton LLP were able to reach a settlement with the hospital just prior to trial that assured that Libby’s needs would be taken care of for her lifetime. But many families are not equipped with the same financial resources to cover therapies, insurance co-pays, or specialized equipment. 

Lane and Kathryn Hagan, Libby’s parents, understand first-hand the astronomical costs associated with caring for a special needs child and are passionate about helping other families fill the gap between what medical insurance will cover and the unique needs that arise for Birmingham-area caregivers of non-typical children.

“It was our desire to create something meaningful and impactful from what happened to Libby, said Lane Hagan, Libby’s father. “We have learned so much over the last six years- one of the greatest lessons is that raising any child, and especially a special needs child, takes a village. We know first-hand the stress placed on families whose medical insurance will not cover everything that their child needs to thrive. We want to help. It was out of this desire that the concept for Libby’s Friends was born.”

Libby’s Friends was created for the sole purpose to help ease the financial burden for families caring for children with special needs. Founded in the summer of this year, the non-profit is pleased to announce its inaugural board of directors comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds and unique skillsets:

• Lane Hagan, Executive Director
• Jamie Moncus- Board Chairman, Trial Lawyer; Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton
• Brian Clifford- Treasurer, Founder and Principal; Monteagle Strategic Finance, LLC
• Kyle Conrad- Vice President, AVP Business Banking for Progress Bank
• Kristi Renneker, MSPT- Secretary, Senior Physical Therapist for Children’s Rehabilitative Services

“I’m so proud of Lane and Kathryn in doing this amazing work,” said Jamie Moncus, the Hagan’s attorney. “I have had the privilege of helping many individuals and families over my career, but seeing a unique non-profit born out of this tragedy has truly been a blessing and will be so for the many families it touches.”

The organization is planning future fundraising and advocacy opportunities. To learn more about Libby’s friends, or to donate, please visit: libbysfriends.org