Emma’s Road to Recovery

If you know our little sister, Emma, or our parents, you know that we struggle in silence and often refuse to admit defeat and will not ask for help. Which makes what I’m about to say that much more difficult. Our sister, parents, and entire family have found themselves in an unimaginable situation. What should have just been a regular Friday evening turned into a life-altering accident.

On Friday, July 12th, Emma was in a freak swimming accident that left her unable to feel her legs. She was rushed to Campbellford hospital where she was then airlifted to the trauma unit at Sunnybrook hospital. After numerous tests, she was diagnosed with a broken neck in two different spots and her spine was being compressed. She needed immediate surgery to correct the breaks and stabilize/ decompress her spine. She remains in the critical care unit at Sunnybrook hospital. While she is stable, she remains intubated and the damage to her body is yet to be determined. As it stands she has some movement in her arms and fingers, feeling in her upper torso, but continues to have no movement or feeling in her legs. While we remain hopeful that things will improve with time and rehab, we are faced with the very real and unimaginable possibility that Emma may not be able to walk again. My parents, Stephanie and Kirk, have and will continue to remain by Emma’s side. Emma has a long road ahead of her, and both her and my parents are faced with extensive expenses in her road to healing and recovery.

Which is where the part comes that our family really struggles with - asking for help. My dad, a self-employed contractor and the sole income for my parents and teenage brother (Devan), is faced with taking an extended amount of time off work to be with my sister, but yet an endless list of additional expenses including gas to and from the hospital, accommodations close to the hospital, food, parking, etc. Emma, will continue to have her bills to pay, yet will be unable to work for an unknown amount of time. There is a very real possibility that they will also have the expense of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medical equipment when she is able to leave the hospital and return home, and the cost of making our family home accessible as she recovers (and hopefully builds the ability to walk again). While I wish I was in the financial situation to support my little sister, my parents, and my own family while they go through this unimaginable time in our lives, it’s just not a possibility. So, I'm asking for help. We would be truly and forever grateful for any support, donations, thoughts, and prayers, as Emma starts on an incredibly long and hard road to recovery. All donations will go directly to Emma and our parents for costs associated with her hospital stay and her rehabilitation, with the ultimate goal of walking again.

If you know Emma, you know that she is strong, determined, and the most stubborn 24 year old. Which will no doubt be the best qualities to have as she fights to recover. ❤️