Walking and talking may seem to us like simple luxuries in life that we take from granted, while we complain about a gimp knee, headache, or hang nail... but for some, it's a miracle - and they don't complain at all. Such as Lexi Haas, the most amazing and inspirational little girl I know, personally.

You may have heard about Lexi via the Charlotte Observer, when last year at the age of 7, she became the first person in the world to have a deep brain stimulator placed to help alleviate symptoms of kernicterus, or neurological damage caused by her newborn jaundice. Lexi endured 11 hours of brain surgery, much of it while awake, to place the electrodes in her brain, followed by a second surgery the next week to implant a stimulator in her abdomen that she named Hope. Lexi is now 8, has shown some important improvements, and is celebrating the one year anniversary of the surgery.

And to celebrate Lexi is having a party, and you're invited...

Lexi’s Celebration of Hope will be at the Weddington Chase Clubhouse on Saturday July 31 from 4 - 8 p.m featuring live music by Highway 17, food and a silent auction. A suggested donation of $25 at the door will go to the kernicterus research fund at the Medical College of Virginia where Lexi’s surgery was performed. Proceeds from the silent auction will be put in a trust to help offset Lexi’s medical expenses that aren’t covered by her insurance.

A celebration of hope, I can't think of a greater cause for celebration.

Learn more about the celebration of hope and find out ways to spread hope here

To read Lexi's full story check out her Caring Bridge Journal