We flew across Canada for a vacation back in 2015 with Hayden. She was a year and a half old. While we were in Ontario, Hayden had one of her worst seizure episodes. She ended up aspirating, and required immediate intensive support. She was rushed in air ambulance to the closest children’s hospital where she spent the next two weeks in the PICU. We were away from home and terrified, while our daughter fought for her life. We didn’t know what to do, or where to turn. We didn’t plan on going to a hospital away from home.
For many families however, traveling away from home to receive the specialized care in a children’s hospital is exactly what is needed. Being away from home, loved ones, work, and the comforts of familiarity, really makes it difficult.