Kieran Bondy

Kieran's Parents are Renee Charette & Paul Bondy

Kieran was born with 8 different congenital heart defects. He has spent his entire life in and out of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, where he has experienced 3 open heart surgeries, 2 heart catheterization procedures and 1 gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Kieran's heart will never be considered healed. His surgeries are considered palliative, not corrective. He has at least 1 upcoming open heart surgery and will likely require multiple heart transplants in his lifetime.

Kieran is lucky to have been born in a time and place that have helped him live to see his first birthday. His daily life is structured around his medical needs. He receives multiple injections and numerous medications each day just to stay alive.

A post-operative stroke, caused by a blood clot in his brain left Kieran unable to use the entire right side of his body. Kieran spent days in the critical care unit with constant monitoring in an attempt to get his seizures under control. This was the scariest time for his parents, even after everything they had been through with him shortly after his birth.

As always, Kieran's resilient Spirit persevered and he was back on the Cardiac floor in time for his first birthday party. His personality began to shine through again on that day and he has returned to his sweet, endearing and playful self.

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Kieran attended rehab at Holland Bloorview children's hospital where he was blessed to receive: Physiotherapy, Occupational, Play Speech and Music Therapies. He is making an outstanding recovery, with his movements increasing daily to his right side. His parents are with him day in and day out. 

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While Kieran is extremely privileged to be born in Canada, there are many expenses that come with caring for a medically fragile and critically ill child. Kieran's mom was on an extended leave from work, and Kieran's dad works full time, saving up all of his time off to be with Kieran during his most intense hospital stays. 

Kieran's family is constantly surviving on limited resources. Some of the unexpected costs they manage regularly beyond being new parents include: medications, specialized medical equipment, downtown Toronto parking fees, gas mileage to and from hospitals, specialized nutrition support, and the basic costs of living out of home (especially hospital food costs).

Because of the nature of Kieran's health needs, he is at a very high risk of transmitting infectious diseases. This limits the number of visitors and environments in which he can be with others. Kieran's extended family and friends have done what they can time and time again to help out. From preparing meals, to covering hotel costs, to helping out with basic necessities - these gestures go a LONG way in helping Kieran's parents feel connected and supported.
 

People often ask how they can help. Here are some gestures that have made the world of difference so far, and can still help immensely for the care of Kieran.

No matter what you are able to offer, each gesture of giving is a reminder to Kieran and his family that they are not alone in believing in miracles. It is this delicate appreciation of the preciousness of life that keeps hope alive for the people who know and love Kieran the most.

Please feel free to share Kieran's story with others to help raise awareness about Congenital Heart Disease, Stroke and Epilepsy, Brain Injury and families' experiences of raising medically fragile children.

With each passing day, Kieran continues to teach us one of the most profound lessons of life: where there is love, there is hope, and where there is hope, there are miracles.

Together, let's help Kieran and his parents make each moment count.

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You can learn more here and donate independently

https://www.gofundme.com/kierans-journey-superhero

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