My Story, My Family Story

My name is Natalee Brooks Vassell, and I came to Canada as an international student to pursue my studies in Construction. My dream has always been to build a stable future for my family through education and a meaningful career. My husband, Geoffrey Vassell, and our two children later joined me so we could work toward that future together.

From birth, my son Najee struggled with severe constipation and gastroenteritis. As a first time mother, I believed it was caused by formula, so I kept changing brands and spent years trying different options. After countless doctor visits, I eventually learned—seven years later—that his symptoms resembled those of Hirschsprung disease.

In 2020, while still living in Jamaica, he experienced a frightening medical emergency. He was rushed to the University of the West Indies Hospital with severe pain and bloating. A colonoscopy was performed to untwist his colon and relieve the blockage. A biopsy was taken to test for Hirschsprung, and a minor procedure was done to help him pass stool normally. Although the biopsy came back negative, he was diagnosed with severe sigmoid volvulus. I was told the issue had been corrected and that he could live a normal life.

Sadly, that was not the case.

In 2023, after joining us in Canada, he experienced another episode. He was taken to Brampton Civic Hospital, where an X ray showed his colon was extremely distended and twisted again. He was immediately referred to SickKids Hospital. There, he underwent further testing, including another colonoscopy and Hirschsprung evaluation. His bowel was released, but the results were once again negative.

Within two months, he suffered yet another episode. Doctors discovered his colon had become even more distended than before, causing repeated twisting within just five consecutive weeks. A contrast study was performed, and based on the results, surgeons removed the affected section of his colon and took multiple biopsies for further investigation.

In January 2025, he had another episode that required intervention. Again, the results did not match any known medical patterns.

On July 13, 2025, he was admitted to SickKids with severe bloating. Imaging showed a twist in the same area that had already been surgically removed. After releasing the blockage, the medical team held an emergency meeting with me. Because of the constant recurrences and the impact on his quality of life, they recommended a temporary ileostomy bag while they continue running tests and researching to find a permanent solution. They are also waiting on specialized equipment to study his colon more thoroughly.

Throughout this journey, our family has faced overwhelming financial hardship. While waiting for his work permit, my husband was paying for private insurance through a union, and we had no other financial support. This caused delays in my studies, pushing my program from January 2024 to May 2024, and left us with a massive hospital bill.

Today, we owe $288,000 CAD to SickKids Hospital. My son is still an active patient, and the hospital continues to run tests to understand the cause of his ongoing medical problems. We are making monthly payments, but the debt is far beyond what we can manage as a young immigrant family.

My son’s most recent medical crisis has interrupted my studies again, extending my program far beyond what we planned or can afford. Although my husband is now employed, the financial strain from the past years—and the ongoing medical bills—remains crushing.

Because of our son’s ongoing medical needs and the advanced care available in Canada, we want to build our lives here, contribute to the workforce, and ensure our son continues receiving the care he urgently needs.

I am continuing my education in Business Management and Marketing, even while carrying outstanding balances with my institution. I hope to contribute to Canada’s renovation and construction sector in the future if given the opportunity to complete my studies. My husband holds a BSc in Industrial Technology and has over twenty years of experience teaching trades and working in construction. We are committed to using our skills to support Canada’s labour market.

Our children have adapted well to life in Canada—they are A students, volunteers, and already dreaming about their future careers.

But my son’s health challenges have taken a toll. His grades have dropped because he frequently misses school. Here in Canada, he has found compassion—friends who check on him, invite him out, and reassure him that they will stand by him through every change.

I am incredibly grateful to the medical team at SickKids for their dedication and care. They continue working tirelessly to help my son live as normal a life as possible.

This is our story. This is our truth. We are asking for empathy and financial support from anyone who is able to help so our son can continue receiving the medical care he desperately needs. Any contribution, no matter the size, will help us stay afloat during this difficult journey and work toward paying down the $288,000 CAD medical debt that hangs over our family, while continue to purchasing monthly medical supplies.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for supporting us in any way you can.