Just over two years ago, my oldest daughter Charlie's life was turned upside down. Charlie had been feeling ill and was taken to a walk-in clinic, but they misdiagnosed her symptoms. My mom was concerned that Charlie’s condition was more serious, so she and my wife, Katie, took Charlie to the emergency department at Ridge Meadows Hospital where our pediatrician was on call. RMH immediately suspected that Charlie was in a state of Diabetic Ketoacidosis – her body was shutting down. They soon transferred us to BC Children’s Hospital for confirmation and ongoing care. There, Charlie was officially diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
From the moment we arrived, and throughout the hospital stay to stabilize Charlie, BC Children’s Hospital was there to support us the whole way. The entire staff is absolutely relentless in providing the best care possible for each and every child that walks through their doors and to ensure their families are well supported. During our stay, Katie was actually pregnant with our youngest daughter, Emmy.
Throughout the past two years BC Children's Hospital has been nothing short of amazing, supporting our family throughout this new reality and turning our uncertainty and worry into strength and perseverance. We’ve learned so much and have been fortunate enough to be able to transform Charlie's treatment regime from multiple daily injections (usually about 4 needles a day) to insulin pump therapy that only requires a site change every 3 days and provides a lot more freedom. Charlie's little fingers are a testament to her strength – every day she gets about 6 (at the very low end) to 15 finger pokes a day to check her blood glucose. We hope one day to get her a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to help with blood glucose monitoring.
Charlie is still with us today and thriving because of the amazing care and support that BC Children’s Hospital provides. We are truly blessed to have such a strong little girl and the support we have among our family and friends. Charlie is a fighter, she's brave, resilient, happy and strong willed little girl that can do anything she puts her mind to.
In 2016 I knew I needed to do something to give back and help spread the word of the amazing support BC Children’s Hospital provides so I reached out to the Foundation and joined the Jeans Day Committee. There is not a single cause that I hold closer to my heart than BC Children’s Hospital.