Message From Our Founder

Welcome to Parker’s Promise

My name is Morgan Stine, and I am Parker’s mom.  In June 2022, seven-year- old Parker was hospitalized for eight days battling the horrific effects of an STEC infection (Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli) from the deadly bacteria E.coli 0157:H7. He was part of a farm camp outbreak. Parker and other children attended a week-long camp at a local farm in Tennessee. One of their jobs was taking care of baby goats. As a result, fourteen people became ill and a precious two-year-old boy, Baylor Fillhouer, died. 

After Baylor’s death, I knew that I had to do something to create change. I never wanted this to happen again to other children and their families, but I wasn’t sure how or where to start.   Another STEC outbreak occurred in July of 2023 from a local Tennessee creek. This is when I realized the best route to support families with hospitalized children, to educate the public and agricultural businesses, and to advocate for policy change was to create a nonprofit organization.  I am first and foremost a mother to three children, wife to a firefighter, and a full-time Physician Assistant. I knew I could not do this alone.  Our community of friends and family have stepped up to help create Parker’s Promise, and for this I am grateful.

You may be here because:

* your child has been injured by a bacterial infection after exposure to animals or contaminated water

*  you want education on how to keep your family safe

*  you think you or your child has a harmful, bacterial illness

*  you want resources for local agricultural businesses / farms / pumpkin patches / petting zoos

*  you want information on animal or water safety

*  you’re thinking of having a petting zoo at your preschool or child’s birthday party

*  you are interested in helping our cause

This website is here to help YOU.  Parker’s Promise is a unique website and nothing like it currently exists.  There is a community of people in our Parker’s Promise “family” that wants to help you. If your child has been ill with bacterial illness like Shiga toxin-producing E. coli from an environmental source like animals or water, then you know how horrific this illness can be.  Please know that many people, especially adults, will do okay with these illnesses.  They may experience a few days of fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, but it is self-limiting. However, children, and especially children younger than five years old, can develop severe and detrimental complications. Five to ten percent of children who have an STEC infection go on to develop a rare disease called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). They can suffer permanent and irreversible changes such as chronic kidney damage and disease, hypertension, seizures, stroke, global brain damage from encephalopathy, cardiac arrest, and death.  

If your child became ill, finding a diagnosis for your child was probably not straightforward or easy. Often, I hear stories of parents being told their child’s illness is likely viral, parents are often told to go home, continue to hydrate, and their child will improve… however many decline instead. After multiple urgent care visits, pediatrician office visits, ER visits, transfers to other hospitals, finally a diagnosis is made. Parents find they are the ones who need to advocate for their child within the medical community. I want to thank parents for standing up for your child. You do know your child best.  Parker’s Promise was created to represent these parents. We will rise up and make change.  

You will find answers to your questions and helpful information explaining terms that are likely confusing at this time.  You will find pamphlets, brochures, and informational packets that you can take to local agricultural businesses, farms, schools, petting zoos, churches, and other public groups to educate the public.  This is also a place of camaraderie where encourage you to share your personal battle with these illnesses and with the goal of preventing others from having the same experience.

Parker’s Promise is whole heartedly dedicated to helping you. Many environmental bacterial illnesses are completely preventable. With your support, we can prevent these pathogens from poisoning and killing our children.

Be the light. Be the change.

Sincerely,

Morgan and Paul Stine