Bereavement fund for the Dignard - Stinson Family

Family and friends,

It is surreal to write this and impossible to find the words right now. As some of you may already know, Sebastien and Brooke have just tragically and unexpectedly lost their son, Oliver, at just 3 months old, and our whole family is shattered and in disbelief. Oliver was the Grandson of Jean-Guy Dignard, Amy Anderson, Nicole Park and John Stinson.

As young parents, Brooke and Sebastien have already endured so much bringing the twins, Atticus & Oliver, into this World. On August 30th, 2022, Brooke delivered the boys one month prematurely. After several days in the hospital after birth, the twins were only home for two nights before they were back in the hospital sick for a 3-day stay.

Earlier in August 2022 the family moved into their first rental home together and faced an undisclosed issue of bedbugs so severe that it caused it to be inhabitable. The family was forced to relocate with little notice and limited financial resources when the boys were only 17 days old, along with their two other children, Arielle (age 3) and Maverick (age 5). The infestation was so severe that no extermination could solve the problem. Almost all of their personal belongings: bedding, clothes, shoes, personal belongings, children’s toys, clothes, anything with fabric, etc., could not be salvaged and had to be thrown out. They received no compensation from their landlord and were forced to start over with the bare minimum.

Not once did Brooke & Sebastien fall into complaining. Instead, they moved forward with smiles and gratitude for their beautiful four young children. A sudden move can be stressful for the best of us at the best of times, not to mention one that caused physical distress to Brooke, Sebastien, Maverick, Arielle, Atticus & Oliver. Brooke & Sebastien did not let this damper their joy and excitement for their newly born sons and growing family.

Less than two months after relocating, Atticus & Oliver were diagnosed with RSV. A severe repository virus that causes infections to the respiratory tract and is extremely life-threatening to newborns. Both Atticus & Oliver were immediately admitted to infants' ICU at Sick Kids and fought for their lives for two weeks (on life support for a week of this).

Brooke and Sebastien took turns being by the boy's sides, sleeping at Sick Kids for nights on end and commuting from the hospital and their home in Oshawa to be with the other children. They managed this, all while juggling the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a parent, work, school, activities, grocery shopping, meals and providing a regular life for their other two children, Arielle & Maverick.

While balancing all of this, Brooke & Sebastien stayed positive, smiled every day and did not let the obstacles they were enduring impede on their hopeful attitude. As Atticus & Oliver returned home, you could see the light and love come back into their lives.

Atticus & Oliver went from the infant ICU on life support to being back home with their parents and siblings. They were smiling, giggling, happy and joyful babies. You could see the bond between Atticus & Oliver as they linked arms, smiled at one another and were surrounded by the love of their family. Everyone’s prayers were answered, and the twins were back home. Maverick and Arielle were so happy to have their baby brothers back home again.

Oliver Dignard's sudden passing away on Sunday, Dec 11th, 2022, has been a tragic and devastating loss for Brooke, Sebastien, Atticus, Arielle, Maverick and the entire family. No parent should have to go through the loss of their child, and it breaks all of our hearts to see Brooke, Sebastien and their family have to endure such grief, sorrow and sadness. Maverick has been inconsolable, bawling every day for his little brother back. Our entire family is shaken and in shock at what has happened. You really never think something like this could happen to you.

During this Holiday season, a time when family and loved ones come together, we are grateful for any support you can give to Sebastien, Brooke, Atticus, Maverick and Arielle.

We have set up this GoFundMe to support the family with funds to access grief counseling, assist the family in rebuilding their lives, and relocate from the place of Oliver’s passing (which has caused immense trauma to both parents, to the point they can't be in the house). To allow Brooke & Sebastien to take time off work so they can grieve, heal and spend time with their two other young children and baby Atticus (who remains in and out of the hospital since his stay in November).

From our family to yours, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any help you can give.