It’s Ironic

Readers of my blog will know I try hard to keep my son’s image and personal information out of this space.

So when I received a message from a representative from Ornge, the world’s innovator in the emerging field of transport medicine to speak at a launch of their program in Markham, ON, I hesitated.

I hesitated because by agreeing to attend their event, my guy – and his story of survival - would no longer be private.

While we would love to donate both to Ornge and to the Hospital for Sick Toronto for saving our son’s life two and a half years ago, we, at this time, cannot. So instead, I figured by making myself available to tell E’s story, it was a way to tell the world about the great things Ornge does for sick children.

Yesterday was the event.

We listened to speeches from Ornge and Markham Stouffville Hospital people as well as someone from Ted Rogers Foundation, which donated $250,000 to bring a branch of Ornge to Markham Stouffville Hospital.

There was also a slideshow of pictures when E was sick, but on the mend, and from now when he is considered cured.

A representative of Ornge read E’s story and my belated letter of thanks to the team that ensured E survived the journey from Markham Stouffville Hospital to SickKids.

I confessed I sobbed, sobbed when I thanked – via letter – the Ornge team for ensuring E made it to the hospital safely and for ensuring he wasn’t alone. It still makes me cry.

E had a blast. The Flying Lion (thanks A) mascot was a hit; the stuffed flying lion toy that each child who is helped by Ornge receives is still being carried around; and E got to check out a critical care land ambulance; sit in the front seat; talk through the sound system; play with the siren; sit on a stretcher; go in the elevator; check his lion’s blood pressure and heart rate (sadly it was flat lined); kiss a baby; be interviewed; have his picture taken; and basically be the star of the show.

His story – and his picture – was on CityTv and Global TV. His photo was captured by Canada Press and therefore can be in newspapers and websites across the country and therefore can be viewed by millions of people.

Yes it’s ironic I have been so careful about Ethan’s information, but I am so glad we went and hopefully helped out a program that Canadians are so lucky to have.