Living with Hemiparesis- Liam's Story

Dear Family and Friends, I am starting this GoFundMe with hope for healing and a brighter future for my nephew, Liam Loewen.

Liam was born in 2013 to parents Anton and Elli. Liam developed as normal in the first few months of his life; however, as he grew his parents noticed that he did not move his left hand as much as his right, mostly keeping it in a fist position. This prompted many doctors visits, and through various tests, it was determined that Liam has “Hemiparesis”. Hemiparesis is a partial weakness or inability to move one side of the body. This results in the loss of motor skills, which is consistent with what Liam experiences daily. The cause of this diagnosis for Liam is suspected to be a stroke while in utero. Liam was also diagnosed with Epilepsy in 2020 after he suffered from 2 seizures. Doctors advised that the Epilepsy is linked to the Hemiparesis, which is ultimately all related to the brain damage Liam sustained during his stroke.

Liam’s parents have advocated hard for him over the past 10 years. Through various appointments with doctors a plan was made for Liam to wear a leg brace on his left leg and attend physiotherapy. While these recommendations are helpful to Liam and improvements have been made in regards to how he is able to move the left side of his body, Anton and Elli are determined to exhaust all avenues at giving Liam the best chance of experiencing as much mobility of the left side of his body as he can.

Anton and Elli have researched other therapies that could potentially benefit Liam and learned that “Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy” could improve his quality of life significantly. A Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber increases oxygen levels in the blood and promotes healing, which could potentially revive dormant brain cells over time. The benefit for Liam is that this therapy could heal some damaged brain tissue, which would result in his muscles and bones growing at a quicker pace as he uses those muscles more.

The purpose of this GoFundMe is to raise money for Liam to be able to do Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy over the next few years. Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy is costly, and unfortunately, the therapy is not covered under any insurance providers in Canada. Anton has sacrificed much of his time at work to be able to afford this therapy; however, with 3 other children in the home, it would be difficult to fund the therapy consistently.

The goal is for Liam to start this therapy before he hits puberty so that his muscles and bones on the left side of his body have the best chance at growing at a similar pace as the rest of his body grows over the next few years.

Thank you to everyone who feels called to donate and to support the Loewen family. Your contribution makes a difference in Liam’s life. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this GoFundMe.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand”. Isaiah 41:10