Hello, my name is Alex Loraas and I'm fundraising for my cousin Sebastian and his mom, Hayley Stovin.

On Nov. 1st, my young cousin Sebastian was in a motorcycle accident. He was on his way to a job interview when he was involved in a serious crash in the middle of an intersection. His mom arrived at the scene and got into the ambulance with him, immediately knowing something was wrong. He wasn’t following commands or answering questions. This was her nightmare, now becoming real.

Seb was rushed into ER at Vancouver General Hospital where he suffered his first of several seizures. He was immediately put in a medically induced coma and intubated. It was determined that Sebastian had suffered a traumatic brain injury known as DAI, the tearing of the brain's long connecting nerve fibers. He had also sustained a fractured pelvis and a fractured metacarpal in his wrist.

Seb would spend the next two and a half days in intensive care. Later, he began to take some breaths on his own so doctors brought him out of sedation and removed the breathing and feeding tubes. His mother was terrified, not knowing if he would be himself, once awake.

When Seb woke up from the medically induced coma he was confused and extremely agitated, but he was alive and talking. From there he was moved to a specialized treatment unit. While there he suffered a bit of a setback. His mom and dad came one morning to find him strangely moaning, body stiffly contorting and having immense difficulties speaking. Thankfully, within 24 hrs, the doctors realized it was a side effect of one of his medications. By the next day he was “back to normal”. Doctors pleased by this, moved him up to the trauma unit where he stayed until his discharge.

Sebastian is a strong young man, a true fighter. He impressed all the medical staff with his strength, tenacity and humour! His recovery is nothing short of a miracle.

He will now be facing outpatient rehabilitation, as well as being monitored for seizures for the next six months.

Seb lives with his mom. They have formed unbreakable bond since they have been through a lot together. From the moment she got to the hospital, she cancelled all her clients and was at his bedside until he was sent home. She has missed weeks of work and will be missing more to care for him and take him to what will be numerous appointments.

Over the years she has volunteered her time and raised money to support various causes in the community to help the less fortunate including women in the downtown eastside. Now it’s time to help her a bit.

She is self employed as a hairdresser as well as being a part time student. If she doesn’t work, she doesn’t make money. On top of monthly bills, she has two rents to pay, one at home and one at the salon. She could also be facing expenses for Sebastian’s recovery including rehab, physio, etc.

I’m hoping we can help out these two by raising some money so she doesn’t feel forced to go back to work right away and have to work long days away from her son.

Fortunately, Sebastian was discharged from the hospital on Thursday, November 9th where he is able to continue his healing at home. However, there is a long road of recovery ahead.

We are raising funds for:

The funds raised will go directly to Sebastian and Hayley.

We thank you for reading Sebastian's story and ask that you share it amongst your family, friends, and community.