Kieran's Journey #superhero
Donation protected
In one short year, Kieran Bondy has shown the world that his heart is a force to be reckoned with.
Kieran was born with 8 different congenital heart defects. He has spent his entire life in and out of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, where he has experienced 3 open heart surgeries, 2 heart catheterization procedures and 1 gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Kieran's heart will never be considered healed. His surgeries are considered palliative, not corrective. He has at least 1 upcoming open heart surgery and will likely require multiple heart transplants in his lifetime.
Kieran is lucky to have been born in a time and place that have helped him live to see his first birthday.
Kieran's daily life is structured around his medical needs. He receives multiple injections and numerous medications each day just to stay alive.
Kieran's most recent challenge came as a result of a post-operative stroke caused by a blood clot in his brain. Initially, Kieran was unable to use the entire right side of his body. Kieran spent days in the critical care unit with constant monitoring in an attempt to get his seizures under control. This was the scariest time for his parents, even after everything they had been through with him these past months.
As always, Kieran's resilient Spirit persevered and he was back on the Cardiac floor in time for his first birthday party. His personality began to shine through again on that day and he has returned to his sweet, endearing and playful self.
Throughout all of these experiences, Kieran has always been patient and loving. He has quite the fan club with some incredible people who have been extremely generous with their time and affection.
Kieran is in rehab at Holland Bloorview children's hospital for the rest of the Spring, where he is blessed to receive: Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Play Therapy and Music Therapy. He is making an astounding recovery with his movements increasing daily to his right side. His parents are with him day in and day out.
People often ask what they can do to help.
While Kieran is extremely privileged to be born in Canada, there are many expenses that come with caring for a medically fragile and critically ill child. Kieran's mom has been on an extended leave from work and Kieran's dad works full time, saving up all of his time off to be with Kieran during his most intense hospital stays. Kieran's grandfather also died unexpectedly in December so he and his parents are doing their best to support his grandma.
Kieran's family is constantly surviving on limited resources. Some of the unexpected costs they manage regularly beyond being new parents include: medications, specialized medical equipment, downtown Toronto parking fees, gas mileage to and from hospitals, specialized nutrition support, and the basic costs of living out of home (especially hospital food costs).
During Kieran's most recent inpatient stay at Sick Kids alone, Kieran's parents spent many nights at a hotel across the street at a discounted hospital family rate of approximately 150$ per night.
Because of the nature of Kieran's health needs, he is at a very high risk of transmitting infectious diseases. This limits the number of visitors and environments in which he can be with others. Kieran's extended family and friends have done what they can time and time again to help out. From preparing meals, to covering hotel costs, to helping out with basic necessities - these gestures go a LONG way in helping Kieran's parents feel connected and supported.
No matter what you are able to offer, each gesture of giving is a reminder to Kieran and his family that they are not alone in believing in miracles. It is this delicate appreciation of the preciousness of life that keeps hope alive for the people who know and love Kieran the most.
Please feel free to share Kieran's story with others to help raise awareness about Congenital Heart Disease, Stroke and Epilepsy, Brain Injury and families' experiences of raising medically fragile children.
With each passing day, Kieran continues to teach us one of the most profound lessons of life: where there is love, there is hope, and where there is hope, there are miracles.
Together, let's help Kieran and his parents make each moment count.
Kieran was born with 8 different congenital heart defects. He has spent his entire life in and out of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, where he has experienced 3 open heart surgeries, 2 heart catheterization procedures and 1 gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Kieran's heart will never be considered healed. His surgeries are considered palliative, not corrective. He has at least 1 upcoming open heart surgery and will likely require multiple heart transplants in his lifetime.
Kieran is lucky to have been born in a time and place that have helped him live to see his first birthday.
Kieran's daily life is structured around his medical needs. He receives multiple injections and numerous medications each day just to stay alive.
Kieran's most recent challenge came as a result of a post-operative stroke caused by a blood clot in his brain. Initially, Kieran was unable to use the entire right side of his body. Kieran spent days in the critical care unit with constant monitoring in an attempt to get his seizures under control. This was the scariest time for his parents, even after everything they had been through with him these past months.
As always, Kieran's resilient Spirit persevered and he was back on the Cardiac floor in time for his first birthday party. His personality began to shine through again on that day and he has returned to his sweet, endearing and playful self.
Throughout all of these experiences, Kieran has always been patient and loving. He has quite the fan club with some incredible people who have been extremely generous with their time and affection.
Kieran is in rehab at Holland Bloorview children's hospital for the rest of the Spring, where he is blessed to receive: Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Play Therapy and Music Therapy. He is making an astounding recovery with his movements increasing daily to his right side. His parents are with him day in and day out.
People often ask what they can do to help.
While Kieran is extremely privileged to be born in Canada, there are many expenses that come with caring for a medically fragile and critically ill child. Kieran's mom has been on an extended leave from work and Kieran's dad works full time, saving up all of his time off to be with Kieran during his most intense hospital stays. Kieran's grandfather also died unexpectedly in December so he and his parents are doing their best to support his grandma.
Kieran's family is constantly surviving on limited resources. Some of the unexpected costs they manage regularly beyond being new parents include: medications, specialized medical equipment, downtown Toronto parking fees, gas mileage to and from hospitals, specialized nutrition support, and the basic costs of living out of home (especially hospital food costs).
During Kieran's most recent inpatient stay at Sick Kids alone, Kieran's parents spent many nights at a hotel across the street at a discounted hospital family rate of approximately 150$ per night.
Because of the nature of Kieran's health needs, he is at a very high risk of transmitting infectious diseases. This limits the number of visitors and environments in which he can be with others. Kieran's extended family and friends have done what they can time and time again to help out. From preparing meals, to covering hotel costs, to helping out with basic necessities - these gestures go a LONG way in helping Kieran's parents feel connected and supported.
No matter what you are able to offer, each gesture of giving is a reminder to Kieran and his family that they are not alone in believing in miracles. It is this delicate appreciation of the preciousness of life that keeps hope alive for the people who know and love Kieran the most.
Please feel free to share Kieran's story with others to help raise awareness about Congenital Heart Disease, Stroke and Epilepsy, Brain Injury and families' experiences of raising medically fragile children.
With each passing day, Kieran continues to teach us one of the most profound lessons of life: where there is love, there is hope, and where there is hope, there are miracles.
Together, let's help Kieran and his parents make each moment count.
Organizer and beneficiary
Joanne Belanger
Organizer
Sudbury, ON
Renee Charette
Beneficiary