On January 29th 2021, my entire world changed forever. Our multi generational family home in Toronto went up in flames, taking with it everything we owned and, more painfully, the lives of my Mother Jana, My sister Amanda, My Dear Baby Boy Kai who had just turned 7, and a friend Matthew who came back in to save us. While the journey since then has been filled with immense pain, trauma and heartbreak, I've also begun to have glimmers of hope. If you can believe it, I had another baby. The pain of Kai Passing away tore me apart. I almost didn't make it through the grief. You never think you are going to outlive your kids, and the thought of having another and risking that same unbearable pain should they pass before me made me banish the idea, until I found out I was pregnant again. In the end, Life is worth it, even knowing it is fleeting and impermanent, and terribly painful at times. The joy my little girl Rheya Grace has brought back into my life again gives me hope and motivation to move forward from the ashes of the past.

Out of this pain, I’ve decided to turn my loss into something meaningful- for others who have had to endure the agony of losing everything they have, who have had to grieve for loved ones passing, and for those who have had to live with severe Trauma.

I am currently writing a memoir. A raw and honest account of the fire, the aftermath, and the long lonely road of survival. It is not easy to relive these memories, my hope is that the book can shine a light for others walking through the darkness of loss and remind them that even when everything feels destroyed, life can still be beautiful and full of possibility.

I am also creating Kai’s Kites, a children’s book series designed to help kids and families talk about grief, transition, and healing. I was thinking of Kai’s friends and our community in Toronto, and my heart was always with them, and I have always wondered how they coped with the reality of what happened. These books are not just stories- They are tools for opening hearts and guiding children through some of life’s unexpected early painful challenges. Every dollar earned from Kai’s Kites will go directly into establishing

The Kaison Healing Centers- Sanctuaries of hope, where people suffering from PTSD and trauma can find safety, Compassionate care, and a path forward.

The dream is bigger than me. I cannot do it alone. I need your help.

Your donation through this GoFundMe is more than financial support- It is a lifeline. It is the fuel that will help me turn pain into purpose, that will transform ashes into healing spaces, and that will keep Kai’s spirit alive by helping others find comfort and hope in their darkest hours.

Every contribution, no matter the size, carries us closer to building these projects and making sure no one has to face trauma and grief alone. Together we can create something beautiful from tragedy. Together we can ensure that Kai’s name is remembered, not only from his early exit from this life, but for the love and healing his memory continues to inspire.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for giving. Your kindness means more than words could ever express.

With the deepest Love and Gratitude Arija