Hi, My name is Tricia, I am the sole supporter and guardian of 3 of my grandchildren since 2018.

We are fundraising to try to help make life a little easier for the 4 of us. You see, Sylas is my 10 year old grandson. He is such a sweet little boy and here is his story and the main reason we are fundraising.

Sylas was born in 2014 with Spina bifida Myelomengocele which is the most severe form of spina bifida. It is a serious neural tube defect where part of the spinal cord protrudes through the spine which causes a range of neurological issues. At just 11 hours old Sylas had a 9 hour surgery to put everything back as best they could. At 6 days old he developed Hydrocephulas and had surgery to put a pump in his brain to pump the excess fluid through a tube to be absorbed in his belly.

He was also born with club feet, dislocated hips, bladder and bowel incontinence. Due to the spina bifida Sylas uses a wheelchair for his mobility.

In 2020 he was diagnosed with non-verbal autism and he is mentally delayed by approximately 7 years.

All in all so far Sylas has undergone 13 surgeries and there will be more as he grows.

As for funding for equipment we have only gotten his wheelchair and after trying for a year got a lift put on the outside stairs as he was getting too big for me to carry him then his wheelchair up and down.

Now that Sylas is just over 100pounds I can no longer lift him as I myself am disabled with several medical diagnosis, I have also had two back surgeries in 2014 and 2015.

We are looking to get some equipment to try to make life a little easier for us especially in the summer. Sylas' favourite thing to do is swim, I was able to get an above ground pool for him and his siblings last year and unfortunately Sylas didn't get to go in it often as I just couldn't do it myself. I am really interested in getting a portable lift that I will be able to get him in and out of the pool, the bath, bed, chairs etc. with ease. We are financially strapped as I am trying to raise my grandchildren on Canada Pension Disability and all of our time is spent at home and we all think being able to get Sylas around better would benefit all of us.

All of Sylas' medical appointments are out of town and the 4 of us have to take a train and taxis to attend these appointments, on average a trip costs approximately $700.00 as there is travel, hotel room, food. So it would be nice to have a little put away for these appointments which are twice a year unless emergencies occur. So, if our goal is met and it covers the equipment for Sylas the remaining will be saved for future use for Sylas.

I would also like to look into getting an IPad for Sylas with programming that will help him communicate, not only with us but with everyone he has to communicate with.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read our story.