B.C. teen waiting for surgery - Scoliosis

Hi my name is Jenny Vaughan. My friend Jennifer Lavoie is a courageous caring individual for community, family, and friends. We are childhood friends, growing up on Denman Island together. I recall from the early days of her children's medical care needs, Jennifer has always made every personal accommodation possible to facilitate her son getting medical care. Well, Ethan needs his mom and he needs surgery, neither's wellbeing should be compromised getting there.

Therefore, I am fund raising for these two special people in my life who are now facing medical related challenges beyond their control, because they would never ask, and that they really need your support. Ethan has been waiting for surgery for too long, and not just waiting but traveling all the way to Vancouver, more than once, only to have the surgery cancelled again and again. Here is their experience in the words of Ethan's mom; "There are so many things to consider when you make arrangements for your son to be in hospital. It goes far beyond the struggle of a simple “gee, not today”. I think it is important to share my experience.

Ethan's journey.

1st diagnosed with Idiopathic Scoliosis as a child age 7 with a then curve of about 20 degrees. We opted for a conservative measure and attempted to stop it in its place – 3 back braces later – to help as he grew. Each brace costing 3000, which is not covered by MSP. There have been multiple trips to Vancouver, hotel stays, meals and while the tap assistance program is helpful there is so much more that goes into it.

So approximately age 13, now a degree curve of 40 and it’s a watch wait and see. So we waited and one year later degree 50 and now a candidate for surgery. So we were referred to BCCH. It took until he was about 16 to final get a spine consult.

1. 18 months on the waiting list was what we were told. At the 2 year mark, 2020 covid hit and everything was put on hold.

2. 2021 we went back to see how to move things along.

3. 2022 December – we finally get a date. Time off work for both my husband and I – key for a local apartment support by a charity. However, the time and gas and food – cancelled xmas and saved everything to coordinate. They cancelled 3 days before we were due to arrive by then we were already out of pocket the loss of wages etc, about $5000.00

4. 2023 – went back in Sept – when all the new reporting stated people are getting surgeries, but not us.

5. 2023 – Dec 18 and 20th finally get booked for surgery parts 1 and 2. While already in Vancouver, and in the middle of doing the 3rd antibacterial scrub prep for surgery 30 mins before arriving at hospital …cancelled again.

Financial Burden related to December 18 & 20:

1. Wages lost for time off – Ethan’s father works away and is not earning income when he is home as a support - we don’t get paid holiday pay and cannot get back the scheduled off work hours. About $8000.

2. Booked a flight for family support to come and assist me in Vancouver and this value was lost

3. Caretaker – for my 95 year old grandmother who lives in my home – while I am away

4. Dog-sitter – for my mother to be with us to for assistance

When the hospital rebooks, I won’t have these options due to the related costs and won’t be able to re-fund these funds already spent – so if I eventually do receive a call, and they advise Ethan might be in a cancellation position again – I have already depleted my reserves and I expect I will not be able to afford it no matter how hard we work in January." - Jennifer Lavoie, Ethan's mom. https://globalnews.ca/news/10183408/bc-surgery-wait-seven-years-cancelled-again/

So friends, family, community, here is my ask. Please help by donating, and know that every dollar helps because together we are more.

~Thank you.

Jenny Vaughan