Chelsi’s daughter, Paisley (10), and son, Simon (4), were born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic bone disease that causes bones to fracture & break easily, often with no obvious cause or minimal injury. Paisley and Simon are also hyper-mobile, their joints and ligaments are lax, they bruise easily, and their muscles are slightly weaker than those of a typical child. Chelsi herself, along with other family members, also have OI.
Paisley and Simon travel annually from Regina, SK to The Shriners Hospital for Children Canada in Montreal for specialized treatment. Over the day, the siblings see a team of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists who specialize in their disease. They receive blood work, x-rays, a bone density test, and an infusion of medication to help their bones.
Living in Regina, Chelsi and her family not only face the challenge of not having direct flights to Montreal but travelling with young children and her health issues makes the long journey exhausting. The specialized treatment her children require is only available in Montreal, adding to the financial and logistical burden of travelling for medical care. Luckily, Chelsi learned about Hope Air through The Shriners.
“The process of travelling far from home for treatment was overwhelming at first, but I was relieved that the children would receive specialized treatment for their OI. I grew up without such treatment, and knowing that I would have specialists to talk to about their OI was a great relief. I was even more relieved when told that The Shriners and Hope Air would be helping us with our travels.”
Chelsi’s family will continue to travel with Hope Air every year for treatment. “Hope Air is extremely important to Canadians. Families living with medical conditions that require travelling for treatment are often already paying for medications, treatment, and specialized care for their children. To receive financial support for flights is such a huge help to families such as mine. Being able to receive specialized medical care from experts, especially for a rare disease, is extremely beneficial. Without Hope Air, many families may not be able to afford to travel for treatment.”
Chelsi’s daughter, Paisley (10), and son, Simon (4), were born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic bone disease that causes bones to fracture & break easily, often with no obvious cause or minimal injury. Paisley and Simon are also hyper-mobile, their joints and ligaments are lax, they bruise easily, and their muscles are slightly weaker than those of a typical child. Chelsi herself, along with other family members, also have OI.
Paisley and Simon travel annually from Regina, SK to The Shriners Hospital for Children Canada in Montreal for specialized treatment. Over the day, the siblings see a team of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists who specialize in their disease. They receive blood work, x-rays, a bone density test, and an infusion of medication to help their bones.
Living in Regina, Chelsi and her family not only face the challenge of not having direct flights to Montreal but travelling with young children and her health issues makes the long journey exhausting. The specialized treatment her children require is only available in Montreal, adding to the financial and logistical burden of travelling for medical care. Luckily, Chelsi learned about Hope Air through The Shriners.
“The process of travelling far from home for treatment was overwhelming at first, but I was relieved that the children would receive specialized treatment for their OI. I grew up without such treatment, and knowing that I would have specialists to talk to about their OI was a great relief. I was even more relieved when told that The Shriners and Hope Air would be helping us with our travels.”
Chelsi’s family will continue to travel with Hope Air every year for treatment. “Hope Air is extremely important to Canadians. Families living with medical conditions that require travelling for treatment are often already paying for medications, treatment, and specialized care for their children. To receive financial support for flights is such a huge help to families such as mine. Being able to receive specialized medical care from experts, especially for a rare disease, is extremely beneficial. Without Hope Air, many families may not be able to afford to travel for treatment.”