Help Support Devin & His Family

Help Support Devin and his Family ❤

 

 

Last week my sister got the dreadful phone call that her son Devin will be having a serious back surgery December, 2nd/2021. Devin's scoliosis has got so bad he now needs "Rods" inserted in his back. Most of you know my sister Mandy, and probably know parts of Devin's story.

 

 

My nephew Devin is 14, and was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at 3 years old, and has been in a wheelchair ever since. SMA is a genetic disorder characterized by weakness and wasting (atrophy). When your child has SMA, there's a breakdown of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The brain stops sending messages that control muscle movement. When that happens your child's muscles get weak, shrink, and waste away. There are four types of SMA - Devin is type 3, but a very weak one! There's no cure, but treatment is available and can improve symptoms. They're currently fighting for treatment, as Type 3's aren't covered in British Columbia. Doctors are telling us they don't know if Devin will walk again after surgery due to his SMA. He currently only walks 5-15 steps at a time, so even losing that will be life changing!

 

 

With the news of Devin's surgery, this brings so much stress and worries of medical trips. They have 5 trips to Vancouver start to finish for his surgery, minimum 3 weeks rehabilitation there after he's healed, and they live 14 hours away from the hospital. They're worried about Devin's future and having the right equipment for their house if he looses his ability to walk, the right wheelchair for after recovery, and so many more things.

 

 

To make matters even worse, Mandy just had back surgery herself 3-1/2 months ago, she's slowly healing from surgery. Her husband Eric has been on/off work since her surgery helping her heal, and of course caring for Devin. His amazing sister Alyssa provides so much help and support at all times, and is always there for her brother and parents. Mandy will not be able to provide care to Devin as she's not healed enough. This means Eric will need to be off work during Devin's recovery, and we don't even know how long that will be!!

 

 

This is going to be a long difficult road ahead for them, and the funds raised will be going towards this family while they try to manage this next chapter in their life. I'm asking if you can please help in any way you can, any donation is greatly appreciated. Please keep Devin in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much. ❤