Family of Five in Dire Need
Donation protected
Hello again. My name is Lesli and I'm asking for help for one of my favourite familes. They are the strongest family I know and they've had to prove it way too many times. Meet Sharon, Bryan, Caitlin, Brooklyn and Madison Shepherd and here are a few reasons why they need our help.
In July of 2016 Sharon and Madison (her youngest daughter who was 3 at the time) spent 91 days in the hospital while Madi was placed in Halo traction. The Dr's eventually re-attached her VEPTR rod on the left and inserted a 2nd rod on her right side. Bryan (father) and the other two children remained in FSJ during that period. Sharon was only able to come home one time to see her other two children. It was definitely an emotionally and financially stressful period. Since the time Madi was discharged in late October, she's been required to travel back to Edmonton twice for specialist follow-ups (one day in Edmonton each time) and once for another six month surgery (three days in Edmonton). Each visit requires an approximate 7.5 hour drive one way from FSJ.
In June of this year Caitlin, their oldest child, became very ill and required a medivac to higher care. They were able to get her accepted by Madison's medical team at the UofA Stollery and had her flown to Edmonton instead of Vancouver. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes; she now requires insulin injections 3 times a day, she must test her blood glucose regularly throughout the day and is required to maintain a specific amount of carbohydrates and an eating schedule each day. Sharon, Bryan and Caitlin stayed in Edmonton for a full week while receiving a crash course in diabetes management and have returned twice since then for follow-up appointments. The doctors are also sure Caitlin has celiac disease and they're waiting for a gastric biopsy appointment to officially confirm the diagnosis. Their lives/routine will be forced to change once again as Caitlin will likely need gluten removed from her diet. This is likely to increase their monthly grocery costs.
On September 24th, Sharon collapsed at home and was immediately medivac'd out of Fort St. John, with what they thought might be a brain aneurysm and she was flown to Vancouver. Bryan was not able to accompany Sharon until family was able to travel to FSJ to take care of their kids. Bryan flew to Vancouver on Monday to be with Sharon. She had immediate brain surgery once arriving in Vancouver to remove the aneurysm (which had burst causing a hemorrhage) and repair the damage in her brain. Miraculously she's still with us today and in ICU recovering. Her anticipated hospital stay will be two weeks but without any family locally in Vancouver, Bryan is forced to find affordable accommodations, transportation to/from the hospital and food. Additionally, flight costs for Bryan to/from Vancouver and flight costs home for Sharon are not provided by the medical system.
In November of this year they will again have to travel to Edmonton to do a follow up surgery for Madison. This time will be at least a week depending on her recovery. This following everything else is only putting more strain on this poor family.
My family and their family are two peas in a pod. Not having us all together is horrible but knowing they are struggling so much is the absolute torture. We thank you profusely for all of your help in donating, sharing or both.
In July of 2016 Sharon and Madison (her youngest daughter who was 3 at the time) spent 91 days in the hospital while Madi was placed in Halo traction. The Dr's eventually re-attached her VEPTR rod on the left and inserted a 2nd rod on her right side. Bryan (father) and the other two children remained in FSJ during that period. Sharon was only able to come home one time to see her other two children. It was definitely an emotionally and financially stressful period. Since the time Madi was discharged in late October, she's been required to travel back to Edmonton twice for specialist follow-ups (one day in Edmonton each time) and once for another six month surgery (three days in Edmonton). Each visit requires an approximate 7.5 hour drive one way from FSJ.
In June of this year Caitlin, their oldest child, became very ill and required a medivac to higher care. They were able to get her accepted by Madison's medical team at the UofA Stollery and had her flown to Edmonton instead of Vancouver. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes; she now requires insulin injections 3 times a day, she must test her blood glucose regularly throughout the day and is required to maintain a specific amount of carbohydrates and an eating schedule each day. Sharon, Bryan and Caitlin stayed in Edmonton for a full week while receiving a crash course in diabetes management and have returned twice since then for follow-up appointments. The doctors are also sure Caitlin has celiac disease and they're waiting for a gastric biopsy appointment to officially confirm the diagnosis. Their lives/routine will be forced to change once again as Caitlin will likely need gluten removed from her diet. This is likely to increase their monthly grocery costs.
On September 24th, Sharon collapsed at home and was immediately medivac'd out of Fort St. John, with what they thought might be a brain aneurysm and she was flown to Vancouver. Bryan was not able to accompany Sharon until family was able to travel to FSJ to take care of their kids. Bryan flew to Vancouver on Monday to be with Sharon. She had immediate brain surgery once arriving in Vancouver to remove the aneurysm (which had burst causing a hemorrhage) and repair the damage in her brain. Miraculously she's still with us today and in ICU recovering. Her anticipated hospital stay will be two weeks but without any family locally in Vancouver, Bryan is forced to find affordable accommodations, transportation to/from the hospital and food. Additionally, flight costs for Bryan to/from Vancouver and flight costs home for Sharon are not provided by the medical system.
In November of this year they will again have to travel to Edmonton to do a follow up surgery for Madison. This time will be at least a week depending on her recovery. This following everything else is only putting more strain on this poor family.
My family and their family are two peas in a pod. Not having us all together is horrible but knowing they are struggling so much is the absolute torture. We thank you profusely for all of your help in donating, sharing or both.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lesli Corbett
Organizer
Fort St John, BC
Bryan Shepherd
Beneficiary
