The Christmas gift you are waiting for
It was the most wonderful Christmas present our family could have wished for; last December 24th, the Montreal Children’s Hospital called us to make an appointment in early January. What a relief! A few weeks prior, we had learned that at only one month old, Thomas suffered from Craniosynostosis – when the suture in the skull prematurely fuses by turning into bone – and would require skull surgery. Our pediatrician had only seen such a case once before in 25 years of practice. I was therefore eager to discuss with specialists to better understand what was in store for our family.
Since we lived far away and the condition was very serious, we were told we were eligible for transportation by plane to Montreal. The Social Services team coordinated the flights for us through the Air Canada Foundation who manages a Hospital Transportation Program for patients from far away to hospitals in big cities.
We truly appreciated this service. At the airport, we did not have to worry about anything, which allowed us to focus on our child. But it was only when we returned after the craniofacial operation that I really understood the relevance of the program. Thomas’ head was very swollen and he could barely open his eyes, the bone in his forehead had been removed from the fontanelle to the top part of his nose, to make a mold that the surgeons inserted. Thanks to our flight, I could breast feed as much as I found necessary, keep him snuggled up to me, and comforted him continuously, which would have been impossible if he was stuck in his car seat during the long trip from Montreal to Bonaventure.
Thomas is doing very well now, but due to severe allergies that were recently discovered, we know we will be counting on this program for years to come. Thank you to all those who enable the Air Canada Foundation to offer flights for families in situations like ours.
Vicky Marsh, mother of Thomas and three other wonderful children
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The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation is very fortunate to have the Air Canada Foundation as a patron of its Executive Circle. For over 25 years now, it has proven to be an unfailing ally of the Children’s Hospital, and can always count on its valuable support to serve the health and well-being of our patients and their families.