Laying to rest Baby Atticus

The fundraiser is to help two young parents (Kassie Summers and Mitch Pepper) who are going through what no parent should ever have to experience, the death of their 9 month old baby Atticus Pepper.

Atticus was a precious little boy who brought so much joy to the world and to anyone who had the opportunity to meet him. He was born a warrior, having been diagnosed with Down syndrome shortly after birth. Despite this diagnosis he was unstoppable, meeting his milestones early and always full of joy. He was loved dearly by his mother, father, and older siblings.

In a perfect world Atticus would still be with us. Sadly he was taken from this world too soon. In the early morning of August 23rd his mother rushed Atticus to the emergency department of the Smiths Falls Hospital due to him having a cold and developing a fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Doing everything a responsible parent would do, Kassie put her faith in the medical team there thinking that would take proper care of her baby. This was not the case. After being there for a few hours and only given some Tylenol and anti nausea medication they were sent home instead of keeping Atticus for observation or sending him to CHEO to receive specialized care. In spite of Kassie and Mitch following the hospital’s instructions to care for Atticus at home he passed away in his sleep because of his fever.

Due to what can only be classified as neglect on the part of the Smiths Falls hospital Mitch and Kassie now have to deal with every parent’s worst nightmare.

They have gone from planning his first birthday to now having to plan to lay him to rest. This fundraiser is meant to alleviate some of the stress that comes with the financial aspect of that process for these parents who never expected anything like this to happen and who have other children they also must care for.

Any sort of contribution is greatly appreciated. There will updates with a date a time for his ceremony once plans have been finalized.

~Sweet dreams my child, be forever in peace and light. The stars that brought you to me, may they carry you home tonight.

Sweet dreams my child, be safely on your way. Sail the clouds past the sunset, and kiss the end of the day.

Sweet dreams my child, my precious gift from god. Go and sleep forever now, in the immortal land of nod.~