Hi, my name is Kate, and I’m fundraising to cover accommodation, travel, and living costs so my son, Ashton, can finally receive and recover from spinal surgery in Vancouver at BC Children’s Hospital which is scheduled to take place on February 4th, 2026, with his Pre-op appointment on January 29th.

My son, Ashton, has been on the surgery waitlist since he was 15. Because of COVID-related delays and continued postponements, he has now aged out of the pediatric system, which means we’ve lost access to important resources that are normally available to families with children under 18 like Ronald McDonald House and the BC Family Residence Program. This has left us in a situation where surgery is finally within reach, but housing and travel are now major barriers to making it possible.

Ashton’s condition and why surgery is so important…

Our family also lives with a degenerative genetic connective tissue disorder called LOX-FTAAD, which affects the structural integrity of blood vessels, the heart, and the aorta. It also comes with co-morbid conditions which can include connective tissue laxity/hypermobility/joint dislocations and subluxations, scoliosis, dysautonomia (dizzy episodes and loss of consciousness just by standing up), and heart defects.

Ashton’s scoliosis has been severe and came out of nowhere. He has an extreme S-curve with spinal rotation and rib deformation. This means that his spine doesn't just curve side to side, it also rotates around, like a spiral staircase. He went from having no spinal curve to an upper thoracic curve measuring 68° within months, and it has continued to worsen. His curve is now 72°, and it has progressed by roughly 1–2 degrees per year since his initial diagnosis.

Not only is he in constant pain that can be debilitating, it has also significantly impacted his ability to sit, stand, walk, run, bend over, sleep, or function day-to-day. As the curve worsens and his spine twists, so does the strain on his physical body. He lives with muscle imbalances, nerve compression, compression of the lungs from a twisted ribcage that impacts his ability to breathe properly. This causes shortness of breath which makes the heart work harder and because Ashton also has a heart defect, a bicuspid aortic valve, delaying surgery increases the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening complications over time.

We are also without a family doctor, so if we have to cancel this surgery because we can't afford to do it, we might have to start from scratch, try and get a referral to a new orthopedic surgeon, put back on the waist list, delaying surgery even more.

Ashton also lives with autism, ADHD, and depression. He is genuinely an outgoing, active person but as his scoliosis has progressed, he’s had to give up or severely limit many of the physical activities he loves, like skateboarding, dirt biking, and snowboarding. Losing those outlets has contributed to his depression, on top of the strain of chronic pain and insomnia.

Ashton's Future…

Last year, Ashton was accepted into the College of New Caledonia’s Welding Foundations program. He pushed through and graduated with his ticket, but it took everything he had, and his scoliosis made it extremely difficult. His life has been on hold for years. The longer this surgery is delayed, the harder his recovery becomes, and the more likely it is that he could become permanently disabled.

The surgery itself…

Ashton will undergo major spinal surgery: a scoliosis correction and spinal fusion. In practical terms, the surgical team will realign and stabilize the entirety of his spine using internal bracing (typically metal rods and screws/anchors), then place bone grafts so the corrected section of spine can gradually fuse into one solid, stable segment as it heals. This fusion is what will help prevent the curve from continuing to worsen in that area over time.

After surgery, the early recovery period focuses on pain control, safe mobility (getting up, walking, basic daily movement), and protecting breathing function as the body adjusts, especially because spine alignment and rib position can affect lung mechanics.

Once Ashton is discharged, recovery does not end. Follow-up appointments and outpatient monitoring are needed and early on he will not be able to tolerate long travel or repeated long-distance commuting. This is why we are required to stay in Vancouver for approximately 1–2 months during the initial outpatient recovery window, so he can attend post-op follow-ups, manage complications early if they arise, and focus on healing in a stable, accessible environment. Ashton’s full recovery and rehabilitation is expected to take 8 months up to 2 years.

What we’re fundraising for…

Because we don’t live close enough for daily outpatient care, we are required to stay in Vancouver for an initial recovery period which is estimated at 1 to 2 months, barring any surgical complications. The most realistic option we can access for accommodations is Easter Seals House, which is approximately $115 per night.

I am currently a single mother and a student with limited income, with three other children still living at home, one of whom is on disability and requires care. I also have LOX-FTAAD and live with chronic pain, hypermobility/joint dislocations, and dysautonomia which impacts my ability to work full time and I simply don’t have the extra money to cover these expenses on my own. Regardless, we still have to find a way to make this happen so he can get the care he has waited years for.

The money raised will go toward:

* Outpatient accommodation in Vancouver for 1 to 2 months (approx. $115/night at Easter Seals House)

* Transportation to and from appointments, to and from Vancouver, and follow-up care over the next 8 to 12 months, possibly longer.

* Essential daily expenses during the stay (meals, basics, supplies/medical equipment, and prescriptions)

Every donation, no matter the size, helps us get closer to a safe, stable place to stay so my son can focus on healing. If you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser also makes a huge difference. We are hoping to raise at least 8k dollars.

Thank you for supporting our family through something we’ve been waiting and fighting for, for years.

With gratitude,

Kate