A Routine Afternoon Turns Deadly
According to the family’s GoFundMe page, Beckham had been riding his small electric toy car in the backyard when he unknowingly ran over a hidden yellowjacket nest. Within seconds, a furious swarm engulfed his tiny body.
His father, Peyton Reed, rushed to pull him free, enduring multiple stings himself, before racing Beckham to the nearest emergency room. Doctors administered morphine and Benadryl, and initially, the toddler appeared stable enough to be sent home.
But just hours later, Beckham’s condition worsened. His skin began to turn yellow, prompting the family to rush him to a different hospital.
A Battle Against Organ Failure
At Southeast Georgia Health System, doctors made a devastating discovery: Beckham — who was born with only one kidney — was slipping into multiple organ failure, with his kidney, heart, and liver all shutting down under the toxic overload of venom.
He was transferred to Memorial Hospital in Savannah, where he was intubated, placed on dialysis, and given powerful IV medications to keep him alive.
“Due to his age and size and the amount of stings he had, his little body was unable to handle the amount of toxins,” his family explained in the fundraiser.
With no antivenom available for yellowjackets, doctors could only provide supportive care, buying time while Beckham’s body worked to clear the poison.
Setbacks and Fragile Progress
Updates on the GoFundMe reveal the emotional rollercoaster of Beckham’s fight. On June 27, doctors considered taking him off the ventilator, but held off after concerns were raised by a kidney specialist that the toddler might accidentally pull his dialysis line. His platelet count also dropped, requiring transfusions.
Still, doctors noted his vitals were improving. “It is God’s timing and we are learning to be patient,” the family wrote, asking for continued prayers.
Family games
A Family Under Strain
The ordeal has upended the Reed family’s life. Peyton has been unable to work while staying at the hospital with Beckham. His wife Mariah, who is pregnant with their second child due in August, has been splitting her time between caring for herself and being present for her critically ill son.
Despite the heartbreak, the community has rallied around them. As of this week, the GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $31,000 toward a goal of $40,000 to help cover medical costs and living expenses.
The Road Ahead
Doctors caution that Beckham’s recovery will be slow and uncertain, particularly with concerns about the long-term function of his single kidney once he comes off dialysis.
But for now, every small improvement is celebrated as a victory. And for a family holding onto hope, every prayer, donation, and show of support has become a lifeline in the fight to bring Beckham home again.
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