My name is Ariane Flichel, and I am writing this because watching your child suffer is something no parent is ever prepared for.

Over the past year, Edan's health has declined in ways that have been extremely distressing to witness. He has been struggling with extreme fatigue, emotional distress, and an inability to function the way he once did. He has been diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, severe anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia and autism spectrum disorder - all of which have taken a devastating toll on his ability to live independently or maintain a normal life.

Edan has worked his entire life toward one goal — to become a City Planner. He was incredibly proud to have finally achieved his dream job with the City of Calgary. Now, as he fights for his health, he is also living with the constant fear that he could lose everything he worked so hard to build because of the extended medical leave required to address his complex conditions.

In February 2025, Edan was first hospitalized as his condition became severe. He was hospitalized again in May 2025, and then for 21 days across August and September, as doctors tried to stabilize him and understand what was happening. After these hospitalizations, he experienced multiple mental health crises, including suicide attempts, which made it unsafe for him to be alone without supervision.

Because of this, Edan has required 24-hour private in-home nursing and support to keep him safe, as the public system does not offer funding or care through Assisted Living Alberta for those with psychiatric conditions - only medication management for people with mental health disorders. AHS also is unwilling to admit him or provide the necessary treatment options as the system is strained because of lack of funding and Alberta being the only province not to offer any home check-in supports for people suffering from mental illness.

Recently, doctors discovered a pituitary abnormality that may be contributing to, or even causing, many of these symptoms through severe hormonal disruption. This finding has brought both concern and hope: concern because it is serious, and hope because it means there may finally be a treatable medical explanation for what he has been going through. He is isolated, alone and I wish I could be there myself to take care of him.

Since October 2025, the cost of this medically necessary in-home nursing care has exceeded $45,000. Services that are supposed to be covered by his insurer were denied, leaving him to shoulder the full financial burden while appeals are ongoing.

These costs are simply insurmountable for Edan while he remains on Long Term Disability and is still trying to sort through the complexities of his medical and psychiatric diagnoses. He is scared, lonely and the financial burden is only worsening his already difficult conditions.

I am asking for help so Edan can stay safe, receive proper medical care, and have the chance to stabilize, heal, and return to the career he loves.

Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for supporting my son during this incredibly difficult time.

With gratitude,

Edan’s Mom