What began as a simple illness became a life-altering journey—one Keira faces with strength, spirit, and support.
At first, it seemed like a typical childhood virus. But as Keira’s condition worsened, it became clear that something more serious was unfolding. Keira was born in the summer of 2012. “She was a healthy, perfect baby,” Emma, Keira’s mom, shares. A year later, just as Emma was returning to work, Keira fell ill.
Much to Emma and her family’s surprise, Keira was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis—a life-threatening infection that inflamed the tissue around her brain and spinal cord. Although she had received her immunizations, Keira was among the rare few for whom the disease affected. The meningitis infection caused her to suffer a series of strokes that would result in a brain injury and affect every part of her tiny body.
After six months in the hospital, Keira was finally able to return home. But her journey was just beginning. “Her body’s will to breathe, her heart’s desire to pump on its own, and her personality… those three things stayed intact, and everything else was impacted,” Emma shares.
“Her body’s will to breathe, her heart’s desire to pump on its own, and her personality… those three things stayed intact, and everything else was impacted.”
When she turned two, Keira was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and faced years of rehabilitation ahead. Still, none of it could diminish the strength of her spirit.“She has a really great inner energy and she’s a magnet for people,” Emma explains.“You don’t hang around Keira without smiling, she brings out the best in people.”
Keira, who is now 12 years old, is a sweet kid with a great sense of humour. “She loves a good laugh,” Emma shares. “And if she can execute a joke and make somebody else laugh, that just makes her day.”
While Keira has experienced challenges in developing her verbal language skills, it has never stopped her from socializing and making friends. “She loves to being around people and spending time with family and friends,” shares Emma. “She’s always calling people and setting up plans, like ‘can I come over for a sleepover, Nana?’”
Keira is an active, adventurous kid who’s always up for trying something new. She’s given walker soccer, sledge hockey, and horseback riding a go—but what truly lights up her soul is singing and dancing. In fact, Emma credits singing with helping Keira improve her verbal language skills.
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Over the years, Keira has worked hard to strengthen her physical abilities—completing countless hours at physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. While Keira has made remarkable progress, she still relies on many pieces of mobility and accessibility equipment to help her participate more fully in everyday activities.
“We were introduced to Easter Seals Ontario early on because we couldn’t get coverage for certain pieces of equipment,” Emma explains. “One of the most challenging parts of being a parent of a child who has disabilities is the glaringly large gap in support available to meet Keira’s everyday needs.”
Thankfully, through our Equipment Funding Program, Emma has been able to get support to bridge the gap or cover the cost of some essential items, such as a bath seat and lift. “It’s the best invention ever,” explains Emma. “Before, we were lifting her in and out of the tub, which was really hard on my back. But now we can just plunk her on to the seat and lower her in. Baths are important for her because of the tension in her muscles, and she loves being able to relax in the warm water.”
“It’s the equipment that gives her independence, and independence is always the goal.”
As Keira prepares to enter her teenage years, her needs continue to evolve. “She’s now 125 pounds—and while it’s wonderful that she’s grown into a full-sized human being, it’s much harder to lift and transfer her,” Emma explains. With five children in the family, including two younger siblings, finding safe and sustainable ways to care for Keira has become even more important. That’s why Emma recently applied for funding for a new transfer device to support Keira’s changing needs.
The device allows Keira to pull herself up, while a seat slides underneath her so she can be rolled to her wheelchair, the couch, the bathroom—wherever she needs to go. Not only does it make transfers safer for Keira, it also eases the physical strain on her caregivers by reducing the amount of repetitive lifting required each day.
Having access to the right equipment has been crucial to Keira’s development and rehabilitation and plays a significant role in shaping her future. “It’s the equipment that gives her independence, and independence is always the goal,” Emma shares.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Easter Seals community, Keira continues to receive the support she needs to move toward greater independence, dignity, and freedom in her everyday life. Her journey has been shaped by resilience, love, and a community that truly believes in her potential. With the right tools—and the right people—by her side, Keira is growing into the bright, joyful young person she was always meant to be.