Asher is learning to walk again, and you’re walking beside them
When 14-year-old Asher collapsed in their Victoria home in 2022, their family had no way of knowing how drastically life was about to change. What began as a painful headache led to the discovery of an aggressive brain tumour—one that required immediate surgery.
Following surgery, Asher underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy at BC Children’s Hospital and 30 proton radiation treatments in Seattle (a treatment currently unavailable in Canada).
The damage left behind by these treatments caused a significant brain injury, altering nearly every part of Asher’s daily life.
“They weren’t able to communicate at first,” recalls Asher’s mom, Kelly. “But after their brain surgery, they could still sing memorized lyrics—even when they couldn’t form words.
A long road to recovery
The months that followed were filled with rehabilitation, hospital stays, and constant adjustments. Asher needed help eating, walking, and rebuilding the cognitive and physical skills. One parent always needed to be at the hospital, while the other worked remotely and managed life at home with their three other children.
Even with both Kelly and her husband, Mark, doing their best to balance work and caregiving, their income took a hit—and simply keeping the household functioning became a challenge.
For six months, Vancouver became the family’s second home. They made countless trips between Victoria, Seattle, and BC Children’s Hospital, and the costs added up quickly. Thanks to donors like you, our Bear Essentials program helped cover travel expenses, relieving pressure at a time when every dollar mattered.
One step at a time
Throughout the long recovery, Asher began using specialized equipment like a Beasy transfer board, a carbon frame wheelchair, and a standing frame to regain strength and independence. The support from Bear Essentials helped ensure Asher had what they needed, when they needed it.
“The equipment has been huge for Asher,” Kelly explains. “It meets them exactly where they’re at— what their body can do today—and helps them keep moving forward.”
Even in the most difficult moments, Asher’s personality continued to shine. They threw themselves into music classes, karate, and musical theatre programs designed for kids and youth with disabilities. They made friends. They kept singing. They kept trying.
Today, Asher is rebuilding their abilities step by step—with determination, humour, and an entire community behind them.
“The support we’ve received— from Bear Essentials and from people caring about families like ours—it really matters.” —Kelly
Families like Asher’s don’t just face a medical emergency—they navigate months of upheaval, travel, lost work, and the emotional weight of watching a child fight their way back. And your generosity helps them through it.
Help kids like Asher and give today at islandkidsfirst.com/donate
