Strength, Resilience, and Gratitude — the Coffey Family’s Inspiring Journey
Neighbors of Belterra and Highpointe. Hill Country Business. Publisher Leigh-Anne Zuela. Written by Samantha LeBlanc. Powered by Best Version Media. Photos by Carolyn Miller Photography and Lydia Teague.
In our close-knit community, we are privileged to have the opportunity to get to know our neighbors on a deeper level. Today, we'd like to introduce you to the Coffey family: Megan, Rich, Will, and Colt, who have shown us the true meaning of strength, resilience, and gratitude.
Megan Coffey, a passionate creative who owns a marketing and branding agency, and Rich Coffey, an outsourced CFO for private companies, are the heart and soul of the Coffey family. They met in Austin thanks to a mutual friend who saw the potential for a great match. Their love story began in their late twenties, filled with unforgettable moments, from tailgates to Sixth Street adventures. Eventually, they tied the knot in the enchanting town of Marfa, Texas, surrounded by the stars and near Rich’s family ranch, which dates back to the 1880s.
Photo by Carolyn Norad Miller
Their two boys, Will (8) and Colt (5), bring boundless energy and joy to their lives. With his Texas-sized dimples and competitive spirit, Will enjoys sports like swimming, soccer, and baseball. He's a loyal friend who dreams of becoming a scientist. Colt, witty and hilarious, has a passion for singing and a love for all things fast. His imagination knows no bounds, and he aspires to help animals as a healer when he grows up.
The Coffey family has faced more challenges in the past five years than many imagine. It all started when their pediatrician detected a heart murmur in nine-month-old Will. What seemed like a mild issue soon turned severe when a hole was discovered in his mitral valve. Open heart surgery was inevitable, but the timing remained uncertain, leaving the family in agonizing anticipation.
Just a year and a half later, with Megan eight months pregnant with Colt, Will's heart showed signs of failure. Four weeks after Colt's birth, Will underwent corrective open heart surgery at Dell Children's Medical Center, led by the world-renowned pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Charles Fraser. The surgery was a success, and within a few weeks, Will was back to being a typical three-year-old.
Then came the global pandemic, which disrupted lives around the world. While not ideal, the Coffey’s were well practiced at quarantine, having to do so before Will’s surgery. A year later, the Coffey family decided to make a fresh start by moving to Belterra from West Austin. This move marked a rejuvenating chapter in their lives, symbolizing a clean slate after all they had been through.
Will continued to thrive, enjoying a normal and medically boring few years, until an unexpected event shook their world once more. One evening, as Rich picked up the boys from the after-school club, he noticed a sudden change in Will's demeanor. Will struggled to pick up his dropped jacket, displaying warning signals that something was wrong.
Trusting his instincts, Rich took immediate action and took Will to the closest medical facility, Lewis Urgent Care, suspecting a potential stroke. At Lewis Urgent Care, their concerns were validated—Will was indeed having a stroke. Thanks to their prior experience and deep connection with Dell Children's, they had Will’s heart team and medical experts ready and waiting for Will’s arrival via ambulance. Will underwent brain surgery within hours of arriving at the ER to try and remove a large clot lodged in the frontal cognitive area of his brain.
Stroke recovery at Dell Children’s November 2022
Their journey through these uncertain and challenging days was shared with the dedicated teams at Dell Children's, including the Heart, Hematology, Neurology, and Rehab specialists. The Coffey family's resilience shone brightly, and after two weeks in the hospital, they returned home.
In the following months, Will persevered through three months of blood thinner shots twice daily and six months of therapy, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. By June, he had graduated from all his therapies and could enjoy a "normal" summer as a seven-year-old.
No more shots!
Today, as we read this article, it has been over a year since Will's stroke. The Coffey family remains optimistic, cherishing the routine of seemingly ordinary days. They are immense supporters of Ascension Dell Children's Medical Center and the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, striving to ensure that the exceptional care they received is available to more families in Austin.
Despite the challenges they've faced, the Coffey family continues to engage actively in their community. Their typical hobbies include sports activities for the boys, family reading time, and trail walks with their beloved black lab, Luna, the newest adopted member of the family.
Photo by Lydia Teague
Their close-knit Belterra community has provided unwavering support, especially during the most trying times. Their neighbors have been pillars of strength, reinforcing the idea that neighbors can be more like family. The Coffeys share memorable moments on each other's patios and frequent the Dripping Springs Distillery as a way to bond and unwind.
The Coffey family's motto is a testament to their resilience: "Tough times never last, but tough people do."
Their story reminds us that even in the face of adversity, families can overcome the seemingly impossible and emerge stronger together.
As we conclude our glimpse into the Coffey family's inspiring journey, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the educators, neighbors, and dedicated medical teams at Dell Children's Medical Center, Ascension Seton Southwest Therapy, and Lewis Urgent Care who have stood by their side.
