Kayden's Story

Tiny Light Kayden could be Lady Gaga’s youngest fan. He’s not even 3 years old yet, but he would make the superstar proud – behind the beautiful smile, this little boy has a thing for shoes. Every time he goes into a store and sees shoes, he wants a new pair!

Kayden has already defied the odds. He has a very rare complex congenital heart disease called Right Atrial Isomerism. His heart has five defects including a large hole between the chambers, and he was born with no spleen. Kayden was diagnosed at the 20 week ultrasound, heartbreaking news for first-time parents Jennifer and Steve.  They were told only two children a year in Canada are born with this condition. The survival rate is 50%.

Though doctors are unsure of Kayden’s future, he is healthy right now. At 8 days old, he underwent risky open-heart surgery. Just a week and a half later, his mom and dad took him home. “He has been through so much but always has a smile on his face.” Kayden is on daily medication for his heart and to fight infection due to having no spleen. He will need another open heart surgery within the next year.

This Tiny Light is too young to understand his heart issues, but his mom and dad tell him he has a special heart. Kayden isn’t letting anything slow him down – he loves playing outside, or having fun with his toy cars and tricycle.  “I hope he lives a good life no matter how long it may be.”

Written by Elaine Yong

Meet Brogan, Mairin, and Keira

Images Captured By Trevor Allen Photography

Meet Brogan. 


This sweet four-year-old was diagnosed with childhood epilepsy last year. His first seizure was just over a year ago, when he was only three, and it was sudden and completely unexpected. After a month, Brogan suffered another seizure. Within a few weeks he was having multiple seizures a day. 


Within a few months of the first seizure, the diagnosis of childhood epilepsy was made. His parents felt a sense of relief at knowing. Still, this was a terrifying time. The seizures scared Brogan, often causing tears. He has been strong and now has a better understanding of what is happening. He is cautious on bad days, which his parents stress is so important for his safety. And to other parents in her shoes, his mother says: “Epilepsy is terrifying, it’s hard, and it’s frustrating. Getting control over the seizures is difficult but you will you get there.” 


Despite these interruptions, Brogan is a boy who loves trains, cars, and trucks — his favorite movie being Cars! He is excellent at doing puzzles. He is a big help with his little sisters, who he loves so much. 


His parents hope that he will outgrow epilepsy, though it is unlikely. While there was a time his seizures were out of control, medications have helped this. He is now in control and as he gets older he understands what to do while having a seizure to avoid falling or hurting himself. “We try not to think too much about the ‘what ifs’ and take each day one step at a time.”



Meet Tiny Lights Mairin and Keira. 


These sweet twin girls recently celebrated their first birthday! While they share their journey, they each have their own distinct personality. Mairin loves dancing and making faces that make people laugh. Keira is always on the move, and she adds words to her amazing vocabulary daily!


At 20 weeks gestation, it was discovered that there were two babies and that they had TTTS (Twin to Twin Transfusion). Without medical intervention, there was almost no chance of survival for the twins, so their mother underwent surgery that saved their lives. The girls were born at 31 weeks.


The TTTS has come with many other problems for the girls. Both girls have some brain abnormalities, and it still is not certain what this will mean for their futures.  Mairin also had a cloudy, almost white left eye, which has required two surgeries.  She has no vision in this eye, and her parents are hopeful she will not lose the eye.  Because Keira was the donor TTTS twin, she was much smaller and at higher risk for brain damage in utero. She is doing great now, with only slightly delayed motor skills. Mairin, however, is significantly behind in her motor skills.


The twins’ parents worry for their girls, as there are concerns around their brain abnormalities. Still, “there are worse things than limitations.” They find that the girls compensate for their limitations in other aspects. They are happy girls with a loving family. While there have been such big worries for these sweet girls, they have proved to everyone just how strong they are.


Stories by Angela Stephen-Dewhurst