Vance was a typical cheeky and happy four-year-old. Like many kids his age, he was always on the go, enjoying all kinds of sports and outdoor hobbies, including swimming and jumping on the trampoline.
One ordinary afternoon when playing at a friend’s house, Vance and his friend were “hunting frogs”, when unexpectedly a large garden statue fell on top of him. An ambulance was called, thinking he possibly sustained a broken collarbone - but that wasn’t the case.
Spending the next eight weeks in ICU, parents Holly and Matt were delivered the heartbreaking news that Vance suffered a severe spinal injury and would never walk again. In the blink of an eye, this once independent and active boy, was now tetraplegic.
Requiring a lifesaving tracheostomy, and months of rigorous rehabilitation and occupational therapy, Vance’s life now revolved around hospital. Often frustrated and sad knowing he could once walk and run, Vance had to relearn everything.
As a result, the family’s world was turned upside down. During Vance’s time in hospital, the family was split. With one parent staying with Vance and the other taking care of Quinn, they would rotate their time so both kids got time with each parent. They would then spend the weekend together as a family.
“While Vance was in hospital, our family was split in two,” recalls Holly, “if I was with Vance, then his dad, Matt, would be with his sister, Quinn. Always trying to make sure each of them had one of us parents at a time.”
Since the accident, both Holly and Matt had to put work, and their active lifestyle on hold. Now requiring home modifications and round the clock care, the family’s local community rallied behind them with a GoFundMe page to help with equipment and caring for Vance.
But amidst all the struggles, and learning to adapt to this new, unfamiliar territory, the family found light through Captain Starlight.
“When Vance was in the ICU, Captain Starlight would come to visit and it was such a great escape for him,” says Holly. “We were then made aware of the Starlight Express Room which we attended daily for months.”
Visiting the Starlight Express Room meant Vance could go somewhere fun to play, away from relentless cycle of hospital appointments and procedures. His older sister Quinn also loved joining in the activities on the weekends, and even dressed up as Captain Starlight for her school Superhero Day.
“The kids always laughed and smiled while we were there and that was the most important thing for us –that our kids could smile under the circumstances,” says Holly.
“Thank you to everyone who supports Starlight. They do an inspirational job in bringing smiles to the faces of sick kids and their families doing it tough. Every donation big or small makes a difference.”
