When thinking of having children, most of us anticipate sleepless nights and chaotic feeding schedules. We think of colours for the baby’s room and collect tiny little socks, knitted blankets and diaper genies. We never expect to have anything other than a normal, healthy child who perhaps cries a little more or, hopefully, a little less than other children. But the truth of the matter is that we never know exactly what we are going to get. While most babies are thankfully born strong and thriving, some are born with exceptionally complex health challenges. My child is one of these.
My son, Gryffin, was born with congenital heart disease (CHD). His heart did not have all four chambers, but just two. The arteries joining his heart to the rest of his body were transposed, his aorta was severely narrowed, and the tricuspid valve did not function as it ought to. And these are only some of the issues. Gryffin had his first open- heart double bypass surgery at four days old, his next at six months, and finally his last at four years of age.
I learned about Gryffin’s heart when I was just ten weeks pregnant. Going into it, I thought, “I am an energetic, strong person; I can handle this.” But the truth is there is no preparation for the financial, emotional, and mental strain that this kind of health problem brings. That is why charities like Help Fill a Dream (HFAD) are such a blessing to parents like me.
During my son’s infancy, I was not able to work because we were constantly back and forth from Victoria to Vancouver to BC Children’s Hospital. HFAD provided us with financial donations to help cover costs throughout all three surgeries and pay for expensive heart medication that wasn’t covered through basic healthcare. This contribution went a long way to giving me peace of mind and ensured that I didn’t have to go into debt to provide my child with the care needed to keep him alive.
As many children who have CHD do, my son began experiencing mental health problems after his last surgery at the age of 4. Thanks to HFAD, I could pay for play therapy sessions that helped get Gryffin back on track, and that gave me a greater understanding of how to help and support my son.
More recently, the HFAD has blessed us with a dream vacation. In 2024, we travelled to Mexico for a week of rest and relaxation on the beach. Gryffin has always loved the beach and has an avid interest in marine biology. After watching Moana more than a dozen times, Gryffin was eager to swim with sting rays and see dolphins without compromising their habitat or populations.
Gryffin is doing very well these days. He plays soccer, tennis, and chess and is gifted academically. He goes for cardiology visits annually now, rather than weekly. I have been able to balance university with work and, most importantly, be the best mom I can be. Don’t get me wrong, life is still full of challenges, but the contributions that Help Fill a Dream has given us have ensured that my son and I stay afloat through the more challenging times. We are endlessly grateful for what they have done for us and will never forget the impact that their support has made in our lives!
– Amorena, Gryffin’s mom
