On January 29th, after experiencing a few days of flu like symptoms, Tasha was taken to the ER at St. Joseph’s hospital in Hamilton, for abdominal pain.  She was promptly admitted as she was declining quickly and her kidneys shut down.  By the next morning, she was in ICU on dialysis and getting blood transfusions.  She continued to decline and so she was intubated and put into an induced coma in an effort to give her body the best chance to fight. 

Doctors initially suspected E. coli or some similar bacteria was attacking her body, but after numerous cultures nothing has yet to be found.  They have run multiple MRIs, CT scans, blood work, cultures, and a massive amount of other tests, and yet doctors are still baffled.  

Tasha is now awake, and has improved enough to be moved out of ICU, but she has a very long road ahead of recovery.  She will receive a life altering surgery on her right hand that could result in loss of her hand completely. And although her kidneys are now beginning to function, doctors say she will have permanent damage that will limit her daily physical abilities. 

Tasha and her husband Clayton have 3 children ranging in age from 4 to 16 years old, and their 6 year old has special educational requirements , due to his Autism, and must be driven into Hamilton daily for a half day program that is integral to his development and education. 

They have built their business together by working very long hours, 7 days a week, on their horse farm in Flamborough, ON.  Tasha has spent her life following her passion with horses and is a trainer, coach and judge of hunter/jumpers in the equestrian world. 

With Tasha’s lengthy stay in hospital, it’s already a challenge for her spouse to run the farm alone, and tend to the children’s needs, and then head to the hospital in the evenings. 

It  will be a long road ahead of recovery, and with the physical changes and new limitations, it will be a long time before Tasha will be able to get back to a somewhat normal existence. She may never be able to return fully to her previous workload, which could mean complete changes for the entire family and their livelihood. 

If you you can help to support this family during a very challenging time, any help is greatly appreciated.