Supporting Courtney On Her Road To Recovery

On December 21, 2020, our dear friend Courtney was looking forward to a quiet Christmas at home with her loving husband JD and their two beautiful boys Gunner, 3 & Wilder, 10 months and big sisters Gracie & Olivia, 11.
What started that evening as a headache would turn into a life altering event. 


At just 37 years old, Courtney suffered a brain hemorrhage , a result of arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a congenital tangle of abnormal blood vessels that connects arteries and veins in the brain. AVM affects less than 1% of the population. Of that 1%, only 2-4% of people experience a bleed. 


Courtney was transported from hospital in PEI to New Brunswick in order to receive care from a specialist & team there. Due to Covid-19 restrictions her husband was not able to join her until receiving a medical exemption. He would then drive back and forth daily to see her as the restrictions prevented him from staying in the province without completing a 14 day isolation period. Precious time he needed to be there by her side and for their two boys.


After many tests doctors went in and repaired the bleed. They were happy with the results and felt that things were moving in the right direction. 


Unfortunately, on Christmas morning (Wilder’s first), Courtney went unresponsive and was put on life support. She was taken to surgery where it was found that a second AVM ruptured and a third was found and repaired to prevent it from rupturing in the future. 


As rare as her case is, so too is her spirit and will to fight. For all of us lucky enough to know her we have witnessed this time and time again. Her greatest fight and biggest joy has been that of becoming a mom to their boys Gunner & Wilder and the honour of being bonus mom to Gracie & Olivia. 


This is a humble request to help Courtney as she embarks on a long road to recovery. Courtney and JD had just recently moved back to PEI  to be closer to family after living in  Alberta  for several years. With Courtney finishing up maternity leave and JD being her & their boys primary caregiver all donations will go toward keeping them close and focusing on what matters most without the financial burden that comes along with something so devastating and unexpected. Much Love, Courtney’s Crew