Support our Gentle Warrior Rowan
Rowan Pettinella has touched the lives and hearts of many people. He could easily be described as a gentle warrior -- facing all obstacles with a perfect combination of patient acceptance and a warrior spirit. When it comes to obstacles, Rowan has faced many in his first six years. When he was born, he experienced life threatening medical complications. 
Along the way, many of the daily activities that we take for granted have been a challenge for Rowan and his Moms (Jane Isbister and Karen Pettinella). Rowan has had complications with a seizure disorder, heart, hearing, vision, mobility, and developmental delays. His complications often appear to be a mystery to doctors in his care. Despite the challenges, Rowan moves forward on his own timeline, takes his own path in life and continues to thrive.
Rowan is a 6 year old boy. He is a self proclaimed early riser who greets each day as a precious opportunity to learn and explore. He loves to learn new things, reads everything from picture books to manuals, and loves words and puns. He has a clever sense of humour, adores listening to music, exploring outdoors, going to school, and sharing all new discoveries with family and friends. He remembers everything he learns and cherishes special moments shared with all those around him.
On Saturday, April 1st, Rowan felt unwell. Later that night, he experienced a very prolonged and sustained episode of seizures. He was transported first to the emerg. at Haliburton Hospital and later to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario.
Rowan was in the critical care unit for a total of three long weeks at Sick Kids, while a diverse team of medical specialists struggled to diagnose and treat the seizure activity and increasing swelling in the brain. In that time, it became clear that Rowan had sustained permanent damage to both spheres of his brain due to the lack of oxygen during the seizure period.
While no longer in critical care, it will take many months to recover and assess what life will be like for Rowan moving forward. He is currently on the general pediactrics floor at Sick kids where he continues to heal from the injury to his brain and slowly regain his awareness, strength and abilities.
There is much unknown about how things will unfold in the next weeks and months ahead. What Rowan will be capable of is uncertain. He will be healing and regaining as much function as he can. This will be a long road for both Rowan and his family. Along with the unknown comes uncertainty about how much care he will need.
Both of Rowan’s Moms have been by his side around the clock. It's important that they continue to be with him. Toronto is 3 hours away which means they are far from home and unable to work. We recognize how long of a road this may be and wish to support Karen, Jane and Rowan the best we know how. By offering financial assistance we can help cover the costs of their overnight accommodation, food, parking etc. It is costing them an average of $85/day to stay by his side and at this point. The length of Rowan’s hospital and rehabilitation stay is uncertain but is sure to be months in duration.
If you would like to support Karen, Jane and Rowan during this difficult time, it would help ease the stress of this financial burden.
Rowan has found his way into the hearts of everyone he meets, from his teachers, therapists, doctors, nurses, fellow students and of course his friends and family. He’s always full of surprises!
We wish Rowan and his Moms the best in his recovery. As the days pass by, we continue to send our thoughts, prayers and love. We hope that with this funding, we can help provide a bit more support. With all of our efforts combined, we know that this gentle warrior will feel our love and persevere.
