Kate Hall’s story is one of resilience and innovation born out of necessity. Born with a rare brain malformation, Lissencephaly, Kate faced significant health challenges from an early age.
Despite this, she was making progress with nontraditional therapies, sitting up on her own, rolling over, and clapping by the time she was a toddler. But in late 2019, her health took a dramatic turn.
At just four years old, Kate began using Elecare Jr. formula, prescribed to address her caloric needs. Within weeks, her health spiraled. Her oxygen levels dropped dangerously low, and she was hospitalized for 11 days.
Diagnoses were unclear, ranging from RSV to meningitis, and doctors treated her symptoms without providing definitive answers. This hospitalization marked the beginning of a grueling battle for Kate and her family.
In the months that followed, Kate’s health deteriorated further. The formula triggered a cascade of medical issues, including hundreds of UTIs, back-to-back pneumonias, and a C. diff infection that went undiagnosed for over eight months. These complications left her dependent on a feeding tube and struggling with dysphagia, which caused her to aspirate frequently.
Margaret Hall, Kate’s mother, recalls the moment they were told to consider palliative hospice care.
“They recommended it to keep Kate comfortable,” Hall said. “But we couldn’t accept that. We knew there had to be another way.”
Determined to find a solution, Margaret and her husband James decided to take matters into their own hands. They transitioned Kate off Elecare Jr. and started blending whole foods tailored to her dietary needs. This wasn’t easy—Kate had severe food allergies that made commercial options unsuitable.
Margaret began experimenting with ways to turn their homemade blends into a shelf-stable powder.
After months of trial and error, the family succeeded in developing what would become Tink’s Tonic, a custom whole-food based diet for nutrition. The impact on Kate’s health was transformative. She gained seven pounds in five months, her seizures decreased significantly, and she no longer experienced chronic infections. Since February 2022, Kate hasn’t had to go to one single sick visit to the doctor.
“Tink’s Tonic gave us back our daughter,” Hall said. “She’s stronger, healthier, and even started eating by mouth again in August 2023.”
Kate’s remarkable recovery inspired Margaret to share their solution with other families facing similar struggles. Tink’s Tonic is now helping children with complex medical needs thrive, offering hope to parents who feel like they’ve run out of options.
“Our journey was painful and frustrating, but it showed us the power of persistence and innovation,” Hall explained. “If Tink’s Tonic can help other families avoid what we went through, then all the effort has been worth it.”
Kate’s story is a testament to the love and determination of her family, and Tink’s Tonic is a legacy of that dedication—one that continues to change lives.
You can learn more about Tink's Tonic here.
