Always Thankful & Truly Blessed - Journey to SickKids

My son, Logan is 9 years old (soon to be 10) lives to please, will to achieve and does most without a fear in this world. He gives me the strength and courage to live and do the same with my life.

You may look at Logan and not think he has ever gone through a brain surgery. And that is exactly why we are both thankful (yes, thankful) for having gone through that at an early age. 

You could imagine how active a young boy is, one that literally runs everywhere he has to go (literally), even to the washroom. This determined boy was walking at 10 months, skating at 18 months, together with playing hockey and soccer [almost felt like it was all at the same time]. My days revolved around Logan, work and night school. And that was completely fine by me. I knew from the day he was born, Logan would be my life.

I would get calls weekly (if not more) from Logan’s daycare that he had a fever, his head hurt, and that I needed to pick him up from daycare. During this time I was also terminated from my full-time job [only household income] because I was leaving work to often to pick him up. After months of Logan suffering from excruciating headaches, at age 3.5, he was diagnosed with a condition called Chiari Malformation. Chiari is a neurological disorder in which the brain tissue of the cerebellum extends into the spinal canal and blocks the normal flow of spinal fluid. 

For more information about Chiari, you can visit chiariinstitute.com. 

Logan underwent surgery in November of 2009, two days after his 4^th birthday.  

Despite being told Logan would never be able to participate in physical sports again, Logan’s willingness and determination has proven otherwise. Not to mention he fought 78.5 hours to come into this world with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck 4 times. On August 5, 2014, Logan was released by the Chief Surgeon from his annual visits to SickKids Hospital. Knock on wood, there hasn’t been a headache since his operation November 12, 2009. Logan recently tried out for the Orangeville Northmen Rep Lacrosse Team for Major Novice. After 3 days of tryouts, we have a new Northmen who will be actively practicing with the team 3 days a week plus games and tournaments. Who knows, he might be the next Toronto Rock star!

I am thankful for having gone through this. Without having these life experiences, challenges and obstacles, I surely would not be the person I am today. Logan is my “WHY” to achieve, and the strength to carry on.

Another reason I am thankful is because of my friends and family. I would have never been able to endure this without the love and support of them, and I will forever remember that and be grateful to them. 

I am also much, much stronger than I ever thought I was, or could be. I had always been physically strong, but coming out of that has made me mentally strong as well. 

I also have a newfound respect for anyone with a disability. Especially disabilities that aren’t visible. Just because someone isn’t wearing a cast or crutching around, doesn’t mean that person doesn’t have something wrong with them. 

I’ve also learned how to truly love life. Anytime I start to stress too much about work, friends, relationships, or whatever it is, I simply remember that life is fragile and never guaranteed. 

Lastly, I have learned to truly appreciate having good health. Things could be much, much worse and putting things in perspective has been one of the greatest outcomes. 

While having brain surgery isn’t typical, and people usually freak out upon hearing that, it has left me with an appreciative view on life. 

And I can without a doubt say that Logan has and will always be my miracle in life. My hope is that anyone who reads his story, whether they have a disability or not, would be able to look at their life and find the things they are thankful for. xx Ang