On the morning of August 22nd, 2021, I got a call from my brother Rob that changed my life. The previous night his daughter, my 19 year old niece Kyla, was the passenger in a horrible car accident in Kitchener, ON.

Kyla sustained life-threatening injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. Kyla was immediately rushed to the Hamilton General Hospital, where she was given her first brain surgery to relieve the pressure from the swelling, but her chance of survival was not clear at that time.

Kyla was put in a medically induced coma in Hamilton to give her brain and body a chance to heal; then when she was stable enough to be moved, she was sent back to Kitchener. Kyla has had two more brain surgeries since then, and two lumbar punctures. The fluid continued to build on her brain, so the decision was made a few weeks ago to move her back to Hamilton to have a permanent shunt put in, that way the fluid can continually drain.

Kyla surviving these injuries was nothing short of a miracle; and the progress she has made since then is a true testament of her strength. Since the accident Kyla has had the breathing tube removed from her trachea, and she is now breathing on her own. Although she has yet to regain her ability to speak, she is communicating more and more everyday through hand symbols, mouthing some words, and through body language. Kyla will essentially have to learn how to do everything again – walking, talking, and eating included.

Neither of Kyla’s parents (Rob or Mellissa) live in Hamilton, and Kyla has two brothers as well (Robbie & Jayden), so her parents are in an impossibly difficult situation. They have made sure that at least one of them is there every day, as well as some family members/close friends, who are taking shifts to make sure Kyla is not alone in the hospital or rehabilitation centre (she’s been going back and forth based on her treatment needs.

The financial toll this is taking on both parents is immense, not to mention the emotional toll. They have to choose between putting food on their tables and having a roof over their heads, or being with their daughter through her recovery. At the same time trying to be home in their respective cities to be with their sons.

It’s an impossible decision that no parent should EVER have to make, so I’d like to try and raise some money to help relieve the burden they are currently carrying. Kyla will be in Hamilton for some time still, so there is no relief in sight. Both parents are currently splitting their time between the Mark Preece centre in Hamilton, and their homes.

My goal is a drop in the bucket of what they’ll need over the next few years, but it will keep them both by her side for a couple more months while they figure out the next steps for Kyla.

Thank you to everyone who has been sending their love and support; it truly means the world to our families ❤️