Be part of Harmony's fearless fight

Family and friends,

My brother Delroy and sister-in-law Kayla welcomed my niece, Harmony, into the world on March 25, 2022, and she began fighting for her life as soon as it began. She was born prematurely, weighing only five pounds, and immediately after delivery, she was airlifted to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, where she stayed for three months.

Harmony eventually received several serious diagnoses, including hydrocephalus (fluid in the brain), VACTERL syndrome (group of congenital abnormalities), anorectal malformation, bilateral microphthalmia (both eyes are abnormally small and underdeveloped), congenital sacrum and coccyx vertebral abnormality (affects spinal development), GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease), left ventricular dysfunction (weakens the heart), and bladder and colon abnormalities (cause frequent UTIs which lead to blue spell seizures and body infections requiring hospitalization).

Her treatments so far have included colostomy surgery at 10 days old, brain surgery at a few weeks old, an NG tube insertion, and several extended hospitalizations. And her extensive care needs are ongoing.

Many of Harmony’s care expenses aren’t covered by OHIP or insurance. Delroy and Kayla spend between $600 and $1,000 a month on medical supplies like ostomy bags, catheters, feeding tubes, medicated creams and wipes, specialized cloth diapers, and medications. Harmony also has monthly appointments in Kingston and Toronto, and the cost of gas to travel from their home in Bellville often raises her care expenses above $1,000. And these expenses will continue to increase over time – as Harmony grows, she will need physiotherapy and equipment like walkers, a specialized bathtub, and specialized bed.

Kayla stays home to care for Harmony full-time, and all of her sick leave and caregiver leave benefits have run out, meaning they’re now struggling to manage all of these expenses, in addition to their other, regular monthly expenses, on Delroy’s single income.

Harmony is turning three this coming March, and it’s difficult to understand the pain and struggles she’s faced in those three years – more than many people will face in a lifetime. It’s also difficult to imagine the fear and heartbreak that Delroy and Kayla have felt as they’ve carried their daughter through each trial.

But these three years have also been filled with love and gratitude from all of Harmony’s family and friends. Through all of her hardships, her spirit remains a bright light for everyone who’s lucky enough to know her. She may not be your average three-year-old, but her sassiness, silliness, and all her sweet kisses warm up the hearts of everyone she meets.

I’ve set up this page in hopes that together, we can lighten some of Delroy and Kayla’s financial burden. Please do share this page to help spread awareness of complicated conditions like Harmony’s, and to expand her potential support network. And if you feel called to make a donation to support Harmony’s care, our family would be so grateful for your gift.

Thank you for taking the time to read, and for sharing!