On 20th of December, Denis Lemelin and Karla Laflamme were awoken during the night to medical complications with their four-year-old daughter, Braelyn.
She was found struggling to breathe due to a build up of fluid within her lung and esophagus, causing her to lose consciousness. CPR was performed while awaiting transport to Health Sciences North and then Braelyn was airlifted to London Sick Kids Hospital, where the family is staying at this time.
Sadly, it’s not the first time that Braelyn and her family have struggled. The girl was born with a mutation to her KCNT1 gene, which is normally associated with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy. The condition leaves her developmentally delayed.
Her immobility stems from severe scoliosis, which doesn't allow her lungs to expand and contract on their own, forcing her to be on a breathing tube 24 hours a day. She is in a non-verbal state requiring meals through a feeding tube, and continuous monitoring. This puts added pressure on their family as she requires much needed medical attention, round the clock care, and high medical expenses.
Braelyn has been in stable condition since she entered the hospital. At the moment, it is unclear what medical treatment is required or how long her recovery could be. She has been put in an induced coma to help her body rest and rebuild the strength she needs to continue fighting, but Braelyn has a long recovery ahead and an even longer one for her parents.
Lemelin and Laflamme are both on a leave of absence from work and have no return date set.
But a GoFundMe was started by their friend Baylee Ouwens, who started the fundraiser to cover hotel accommodations, flight to and from, and medical expenses not covered by the Ontario Government and or work health care plans. At $6,300, they are more than halfway to their $10,000 goal.
And every dollar raised will go to help the family.
“It's hard to keep up with the consistent accumulation of bills and expenses within they're current situation,” stated Ouwens on the GoFundMe page. “I'm looking to relieve as much financial stress off their family as possible, to allow them to focus all their attention where it is needed the most.”
You can find the GoFundMe by clicking here.
