Eric
Eric says his experience has inspired him to pursue a career as a diabetes educator and counsellor.
Keep reading
Keira was born with craniosynostosis – when the plates in a baby’s skull fuse too early and before their brain is fully formed.
If left untreated, it can cause vision loss, facial disfigurement, developmental problems due to the skull putting pressure on the growing brain, and other complications.
Keira had her first surgery at nine-months old at the HSC Winnipeg Children’s Hospital to open the fusion, relieve the pressure, and support the shaping of her skull to naturally fuse back together as she grew. Another surgery followed when she was eight to fill an area of her skull that was sinking and which took six months to heal.
In both cases, Keira was cared for by exceptional staff in the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit and recovery ward. In fact, Keira’s mother attributes Keira’s good spirits and positivity to these caring staff giving Keira what every kid needs in situations like these – incredible care, support, encouragement, and lots of laughs.
Keira has regular follow-ups at Children’s Hospital because her skull is constantly changing as she grows. These include with a dental physician because her jaw is too small for her adult teeth; a plastic surgeon and neurosurgeon for consultation on additional craniofacial surgeries; and an ophthalmologist for her ongoing vision challenges.
In the meantime, Keira is full of energy, an avid performer, and living life to the fullest, including dancing to help to raise funds for local children’s hospitals.
