Evelyn’s strong will helped her survive a medical crisis — and with support from Easter Seals, she’s reclaiming her independence and joy.
Evelyn is a tenacious 7-year-old, admired by her family for her strong will and determination. “She knows what she wants and she goes for it,” shares Evelyn’s mom, Vanessa. While these qualities are part of what make Evelyn so vibrant, they also played a crucial role in saving her life during a medical emergency.
“In December of 2023, Evelyn knocked on death’s door,” says Vanessa. “She went into a series of static seizures, some of which lasted over an hour. The seizures went on and off like that for the next week … we couldn’t stop them. The doctors told me she would not come home.”
“Evelyn knocked on death’s door … She went into a series of static seizures, some of which lasted over an hour … The doctors told me she would not come home.”
Hearing those words is something no parent ever wants to imagine. “Evelyn is a stubborn little fighter though,” says Vanessa, “I know how strong she is.” Evelyn’s family pushed for her to receive a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) to help control her seizures. The VNS surgery was successful and finally brought the crisis to an end, but the incident left a lasting impact on Evelyn. “She lost all of her skills — the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink — she lost everything.”
Although Evelyn was born with a rare seizure disorder called Doose syndrome and had struggled with seizures since the age of 2, nothing had prepared her family for the intensity of the unrelenting seizures she experienced in December 2023. The episode was so severe that it caused damage to Evelyn’s brain, and she has spent the years since working hard to heal.
Help children like Evelyn take the next step in their recovery.
At just 6 years old, Evelyn faced the challenges of completely relearning how to use her body to move and communicate. She has made a great deal of progress since then, much of it thanks to her strong will: “She tires quickly now, but if she’s determined and she really wants to do something, she’s going to find a way,” says Vanessa.
Evelyn has also learned to utilize mobility equipment to help her participate more fully in the world around her. Through Easter Seals Ontario, her family was able to access funding for the wheelchair and walker that Evelyn relies on every day. “Evelyn is just pure light. You bring her into a room and she’s just happy. She loves the world and she just wants to be with people.” With the help of her wheelchair and walker, Evelyn is once again able to take part in her community and enjoy the activities she loves, like going to school, attending church with her family, and joining her little brother, Jason, at the playground.
“Without this equipment, her life stops. She can’t participate in her world, she can’t do anything, she’s just stuck … it’s like a part of her light goes out.”
“She has regained many of her skills, but she still has seizures and she still has bad days,” says Vanessa. “Without this equipment, her life stops. She can’t participate in her world, she can’t do anything, she’s just stuck. And for Evelyn, who is such a bright, active child, to be stuck in limbo … it’s like a part of her light goes out.”
While the wheelchair and walker have made a big difference for Evelyn, she will require additional items to support her recovery journey. “I’m going to be applying for funding toward a growth kit for her wheelchair this year,” says Vanessa. “Having the assistance from Easter Seals has been night and day for us. I wouldn’t have been able to afford her devices otherwise. Her medication alone is very expensive, and even with my benefits, I would still be paying out of pocket for these expenses. It would be a very different situation without the help from Easter Seals.”
Every step Evelyn takes on her journey of recovery is made possible by the kindness of donors who believe in her potential. Your support doesn’t just provide equipment — it restores possibilities, confidence, and joy for children like Evelyn and their families.