To Help Michael in Memory of Kevin Laplante

As many of you know, Kevin always put everyone else’s needs above his own. He loved helping out when he could and donated to charities throughout his life. Being part of the Shriners and sitting on the children’s hospital board opened a special place in his heart for helping children in need. So it was no surprise that Michael fell into Kevin’s life one hot Highland Games weekend while parking cars. Michael and his mother Esi were experiencing their first time at the Highland Games when the accompanying Shriner suddenly needed to seek medical attention. Esi, leaving to make sure her friend was okay, trusted Kevin, whom she had just briefly met, to care for Michael until she returned. We remember our dad telling us the story of him showing Michael around the games, carrying him at times, then later taking him to sit at the cottage to watch the ships go by while they waited for his mother to return. You could hear the joy in his voice from meeting this little boy. From that day on Esi and Michael became great friends with our dad, and many times we, his children, got to meet them and see them experience life outside of Montreal. Just another way of Kevin not only helping Esi and Michael but also teaching his children and grandchildren the importance and gratification of helping others. Unbeknownst to him, he was always teaching a lesson to those around him, and we will always be grateful.

Michael and his Mother, Esi are citizens of Ghana. When Michael was born, he was immediately whisked away for surgery, returning five days later. Michael was finally placed in his mother’s arms with both legs in casts. Michael was born with a rare condition called arthrogryposis multiplex congenitia (AMC).

“AMC can occur when a fetus doesn’t move around enough in the womb. The condition affects the joints, including the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, feet and knees. Because of his lack of movement, the joints may become contracted or tightened and inflexible.

Although the severity of the condition varies in each instance, children with AMC need a lot of medical attention, including intervention by an orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible. In Michael’s case, AMC affected his arms (he cannot lift them above shoulder level), hips (he has a dislocated hip) and ankles (he walks on his tiptoes because his ankles are inflexible).” Ironically in the last few weeks of Kevin’s life, Kevin experienced similar effects on his own body that Michael shares daily. In Kevin’s case, this resulted from a Cancer Trial drug that he was very hopeful would give him more time with us. Although it did not turn out the way he wished, he believed it would someday help others.

Due to limited health care resources, life can be difficult for children with physical disabilities in Ghana. “Even children in wheelchairs face challenges, as many buildings, including schools, are inaccessible.”

Doing what every mother would do, Esi was desperate to help her son. She found the Shriners by scrolling the internet and applying, she was happily relieved when her application was accepted, and her prayers had been answered to get Michael the help he would need to give him a hopeful future. Although they were happy to receive the care Michael needed, it meant leaving behind their family, including a son, to move to Montreal, where Michael could receive the surgeries he needed. Michael and his mother moved here in January 2015 and have faced many challenges since they were not eligible for school or work until 2019. Even after that, Michael could not speak French and was denied access to English education. Kevin again was quick to help and found a way to ensure Michael did not miss out on his schooling. Esi has been working endlessly to provide for her and Michael. Some of the most difficult challenges Esi has faced living in Montreal is not being able to speak French, making it very difficult to find a stable job that pays above minimum wage. While being the sole caregiver to Michael, she has taken many courses, her latest being a PSW course and still can’t be employed in the hospital because she doesn’t speak French. She is currently in adult education, trying to get her high school certificate and learn the French Language, which will take some time to achieve. Although it is very challenging to live in Quebec, they have continued to stay there while Michael continues his surgeries as they cannot afford to be far from the hospital.

Through meeting Esi, one realizes she is a person who never gives up and keeps pushing forward to provide for a better life for her and Michael. You would never know they have faced so many complex challenges in life as they are the most joyful, humble, grateful human beings you will meet, and as a mother, all Esi wants for her son is for him to have the best chance in life. However, due to his physical limitations, she knows he will need a good education to get the job he needs to provide for himself as an adult in his future years. Michael will be entering grade 9 in September. Michael would like to be an architect but has agreed to do accounting since he can’t do much walking or climbing due to his physical condition.

Michael is turning 15 this September and has had eight surgeries since birth, 4 of them being in Canada. He just had knee surgery this past June and is still recovering. He will have a couple more before he is 21 years old. The surgeries will not change his medical condition but will be expected to improve his physical impairments.

Any funds Esi and Michael receive will be put towards living costs and Michael’s post-secondary education.

In loving memory of our dear father, Kevin Laplante, we would be forever grateful if you were able to donate to this family that held a special place in his heart.