Therapy Services for Lily

Lily is a 3 1/2 year old girl who is always smiling and laughing. She has been through a lot since birth including heart surgery at 2 months old. She has a rare genetic disorder- 2q37 deletion syndrome (less then 500 cases reported world wide). Due to this genetic disorder, comes a lot of complications both medically and physically. Along with her heart issues she also has horseshoe kidneys, hydrocephalus (fluid around the brain), severe GERD which puts her at risk of choking and because of this is on strict purée only diet (takes many medications because of this), hard of hearing, non verbal and low muscle tone. Lily currently goes to Grandview Children's Centre for Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy but even with these supports she requires additional outside support. Currently Lily is unable to sit up on her own, crawl, or walk. Everyday we see her be the determined little girl she is and try to do these things but due to her low muscle tone she is unable to. Although she is lucky to receive all the above supports from Grandview Children's Center unfortunately there are still gaps within the OHIP services; where she must take up to a two month break which allows other children to access the services. Unfortunately these breaks are very long for a child who needs to become stronger (both medically and physically) and this is where additional Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy services would help tremendously. Accessing these additional services privately is very expensive (thousands of dollars per year), but would make such a huge difference in Lily's life. These additional services would give Lily the chance to walk, crawl and even sit up on her own! All funding will be used to give Lily the life she deserves. Please help us be able to access more therapies for Lily. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.