Ontario families of critically-ill children get Christmas shopping spree
Global News
Caring for children with critically sick children can be tough on many families, but over the weekend, 47 local families got an extra special Christmas experience.
Caring for critically-sick children can be tough on many families, but over the weekend, 47 such local families got an extra special Christmas experience.
On Sunday, Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada, in partnership with Toys R Us, gave families with critically-ill and chronically-ill children in communities across Canada a shopping spree.
At the Barrie, Ont., store, 47 families participated in this year’s event, which was aimed at giving families of kids with serious medical issues a chance to have a stress-free private shopping experience, hoping to make the Christmas season a little brighter.
Valeriya Demydenko was at the event with her two sons, Elias, 3, and Yaroslav, 5.
Her five-year-old has a rare genetic condition leading to his brain not forming properly, which she says caused developmental delays and epilepsy. On some days, she says her son can have up to 100 seizures a day.
“For us as a family, a lot of life rotates around his needs,” Valeriya said.
“Having events that Starlight creates is really just an opportunity for our family to step out of that medical world and into a little bit of normal regular people stuff and gives us the opportunity to bring joy for the boys and to create those lasting family memories.”
Because her son requires a lot of care, Valeriya says having events like this catered to children with complex medical issues allowed them to enjoy the time out as a family without having to worry that their needs are being met.
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