Scarlett
From Charlottetown, PEI to Halifax
Bringing care home: Scarlett's journey to healing close to family and support
Scarlett was born premature at twenty-five weeks and one day gestation, weighing just 1.09 lbs. Her fragile birth would mark the beginning of an intense healthcare journey for Scarlett and her family.
Scarlett spent 53 days in the neonatal ICU at the NWK Health Centre in Halifax, an additional 54 days at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in PEI, before being transferred back to Halifax where she was diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity, a rare condition that causes poor retinal development, which could lead to serious lifelong vision loss including blindness.
It was a huge relief for us to have received support and I think it’s great that it exists out there for families because it’s hard always financing your own travels.
Scarlett’s mother, Mackenzie, travelled with Scarlett from Charlottetown, PEI to Halifax, NS for specialized care. Her health had improved enough to be discharged, but Mackenzie was told they would have to return to Halifax once a week for follow-up appointments. “At that point, I mean, I was disappointed. I just wanted to be home, and I was done with traveling. We were just longing to be back home again”.
Mackenzie weighed the option of remaining in Halifax, away from her family and support system, or to return home and endure the 12 hour round trip drive each week with frequent stops to care for Scarlett, and the additional financial implications of frequent medical travel. She had ultimately decided to return home with Scarlett.
On her first trip back to Halifax, she was speaking to their social worker about how expensive it was to travel weekly for Scarlett’s care, and that is when they suggested Hope Air’s programs. “I just submitted an application and moments later I got a confirmation that we were approved. A few days later we received everything we needed to travel.”
Hope Air provided Mackenzie with ferry passes and a gas card. “Our experience with Hope Air was wonderful. It was a huge relief for us to have received support and I think it’s great that it exists out there for families because it’s hard always financing your own travels.” When asked what she would do if she hadn’t heard about Hope Air, Mackenzie said, “I would probably have stayed away from home, at the hospital in Halifax to try and save some money. This would have made me feel very isolated but at that point of time I don’t think I would have had a choice.”
Scarlett is doing much better now and is making progress with her condition. Scarlett and Mackenzie no longer have to travel to Halifax for treatment.