Please join us in supporting Olivia's road to recovery!

Hello friends and family, as many of you are aware by now, our niece Olivia has suffered from a series of strokes (4 total) since Saturday February 15th. 3 days prior to the incident Olivia had been complaining of a stiff/sore neck that we had dismissed as a mere strained muscle. To our absolute shock it was discovered to be a Vertebral Artery Dissection (a slight tear in the artery leading to a clot in her neck) that caused the initial stroke. The week has been met with some repeated setbacks but also great progress. At time of writing she is out of the ICU and in the stroke ward to continue her recovery. She has been surrounded night and day by her partner Leo as well as her parents John and Janet who flew to Montreal as soon as they received the news.

Due to the traumatic and obviously unexpected series of events, we are setting up a Go fund me effort to help Olivia and Leo cope with accommodations and everyday essentials as they live away from home for an extended period of time. Your love and support means the world in this time of need and we are incredibly grateful for any help. Olivia and Leo (@oliviasssspence, @leo_jansch) will be posting updates and awareness posts on Instagram to detail her recovery.

A huge thanks to you all, and the highest praise to the Doctors and nurses at CHUM who have been giving Olivia the best possible care.