Mental health treatments for our boy

We, Crystal and Trenten Laarz are reaching out to our wonderful community of Dawson Creek and

surrounding area to help us get our 8-year-old boy, Tyson, to another round of assessments at Children’s

Hospital in Vancouver. Tyson loves play soccer with his Tiny Tim’s and chasing his Pokemon’s around

town, but some days his health prevents him from doing the things he loves, and sometimes even

prevents him from playing with his two little brothers Tayven and Tristyn

Last November 2021 Tyson spent 4 weeks at Children’s Hospital at which time he was diagnosed with

sensory processing disorder, development coordination disorder along with showing indications of

unspecified anxiety and learning challenges. It has been a tremendous struggle since he came home

before Christmas trying new medications and with limited psychiatric/therapy services for children in

Dawson Creek. The struggles have included many trips to the hospital to manage when the medications

aren’t working. After meeting with a team of mental health workers, the child psychiatrist has referred

Tyson once again for another 4 weeks of assessments at Children’s Hospital in Vancouver starting on

July 4, 2022.

It is our hope that our community can help us raise $12,000 to cover the cost of travel expenses, such as transportation, and meals, as well as bill expenses occurred while away. We as parents are required to stay in Vancouver during this time for the assessment process. We both must take leaves from work to be with our son through this process, but neither of us have coverage for medical trips with our employment and EI will not provide any coverage as Tyson is not considered terminally ill. Trenten has been off work to support Tyson for the past 3 weeks and has already caused a strain with our finances.

We appreciate any help as we take the next step to getting help for our son.

Thank you,

Laarz Family