CAUTION - GRAPHIC PHOTOS

“We thank you for all the kind wishes and messages. With respect, at this time we are focused on Ava and our family and are unable to respond to messages. Thank you for your understanding.”

Story below...

On May 25, 2026, our family’s lives changed forever.

Our 19-year-old sister, Ava, was involved in a devastating accident that resulted in a serious spinal injury and a broken back. She is currently in hospital receiving treatment, surrounded by her family as she begins what will be an incredibly long and difficult road to recovery.

Ava has always been deeply involved in the gymnastics community. After retiring from the sport last year, she continued sharing her passion by coaching young athletes. Coaching became more than just a job, it was a way to give back to the sport, and she loved helping children build confidence, skills, and a passion for gymnastics.

Like many 19-year-olds, Ava was looking forward to the next chapter of her life. She had plans to pursue post-secondary education and continue building her future. Those dreams have now been unexpectedly put on hold as she focuses entirely on healing and recovery, facing challenges no young person should have to endure.

Since the accident, Ava has already undergone plastic surgery in her mouth due to injuries sustained in the crash. Doctors have also made the difficult decision, at this time, not to proceed with back surgery in hopes that intense custom bracing will stabilize her vertebrae and keep the bone fragments in place naturally. This treatment path will require extremely careful monitoring and ongoing assessments to ensure her condition remains stable and does not change.

Right now, there are still many unknowns. Doctors are unable to say how long Ava will remain hospitalized or what her recovery timeline will ultimately look like. What we do know is that her journey will require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, follow-up appointments, specialized equipment, and immense strength from both Ava and our entire family.

Ava is one of four daughters, and our parents are doing everything they can to hold our family together during this unimaginable time. While supporting Ava at the hospital, they are also caring for their two other daughters who still live at home and trying to navigate the emotional, physical, and financial weight this accident has placed on all of us.

Both of our parents work full-time, but they now need to take significant time away from work in order to be by Ava’s side and help care for her through the critical early stages of recovery. Our dad, who works in Fort McMurray, is unable to return to work while remaining with the family during this time, yet the family is still responsible for maintaining rent and living expenses there, in addition to their household expenses in Calgary.

As the days and weeks ahead unfold, the financial strain will continue to grow. Alongside the loss of income, the family is now facing many unexpected expenses including:

• Medical and rehabilitation costs

• Specialized braces, mobility equipment, and recovery supports

• Travel expenses and parking for hospital visits and appointments

• Possible transportation between Calgary and Fort McMurray

• Rent, utilities, groceries, and day-to-day living expenses for a family of six

• Future accessibility needs and long-term rehabilitation support for Ava

• Time away from work so our parents can focus fully on Ava’s care

This will not be a short journey. Ava has a long road ahead filled with rehabilitation, healing, setbacks, and milestones. Throughout it all, our family wants to ensure she has every possible opportunity, resource, and support system needed for her recovery.

We are asking for help to ease some of the financial burden so our family can focus on what matters most right now: supporting Ava through the fight of her life.

Any donation, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful difference. If you are unable to donate, sharing this page and keeping Ava and our family in your thoughts and prayers means more than we can express.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing beside Ava and our family during the hardest time we have ever faced.