One Step at a Time: Sandra's story
A climb in tribute to my brother and son – members of the 1 in 5
Everyone on my team are climbing for loved ones. We all have family and friends who suffer from a lung or breathing condition.
I climb in tribute to both my brother and my son, Kyle, who suffer from severe asthma.
Kyle was born with only 60 percent lung capacity, and by age two, was in and out of hospital 17 times. It was a scary and stressful time – one during which I gained 93 pounds. But it led to changes in our families’ lives. I resolved to find as much information I could to help him live the best possible life. He learned breathing techniques, fitness, and nutrition programs, to help manage his asthma attacks. As a family, we learned to eat better and exercise more.
The healthy habits we created progressed into starting our company Pacific Titans Athletic Program. In 2001, as a BCRPA certified fitness, weight and group instructor I started training hockey players, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts. In 2005 we branched out into Hockey School Academies and Community School Partnerships afterschool programs teaching hockey. As a Registered Sports Nutrition and Advanced Natural Nutrition Advisory, we implemented nutrition and cooking into all our programs.
In addition, I am a certified care aide and work with elderly. I provide breathing and mobility exercises to calm, relax, encourage strength and balance.
I have some great mentors, coaches, family and friends who inspire me to continue my passion to learn, obtain new skills, challenge myself and motivate those around me.
Today I am a proud mom of an amazing son, a nana and a dog mama – and I am married to my superhero. Like everyone we’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve worked through it all, love each other more than ever, and take joy today in giving back.
Everyone on my team are climbing for loved ones. We all have family and friends who suffer from a lung or breathing condition.
I climb in tribute to both my brother and my son, Kyle, who suffer from severe asthma.
Kyle was born with only 60 percent lung capacity, and by age two, was in and out of hospital 17 times. It was a scary and stressful time – one during which I gained 93 pounds. But it led to changes in our families’ lives. I resolved to find as much information I could to help him live the best possible life. He learned breathing techniques, fitness, and nutrition programs, to help manage his asthma attacks. As a family, we learned to eat better and exercise more.
The healthy habits we created progressed into starting our company Pacific Titans Athletic Program. In 2001, as a BCRPA certified fitness, weight and group instructor I started training hockey players, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts. In 2005 we branched out into Hockey School Academies and Community School Partnerships afterschool programs teaching hockey. As a Registered Sports Nutrition and Advanced Natural Nutrition Advisory, we implemented nutrition and cooking into all our programs.
In addition, I am a certified care aide and work with elderly. I provide breathing and mobility exercises to calm, relax, encourage strength and balance.
I have some great mentors, coaches, family and friends who inspire me to continue my passion to learn, obtain new skills, challenge myself and motivate those around me.
Today I am a proud mom of an amazing son, a nana and a dog mama – and I am married to my superhero. Like everyone we’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve worked through it all, love each other more than ever, and take joy today in giving back.
But the difficulties of a loved one suffering from a breathing condition continue throughout life. March 17th, 2019, is a day I will never forget.
My brother has also had breathing issues since he was an infant. This past spring, we almost lost him. He was admitted to Surrey Memorial Hospital. His oxygen levels were so low, they had to hook him to life-saving machines to keep him breathing. Doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and care aids were constantly in and out of his room. Then a trauma cart rolled in.
It seems what began as a bad flu and triggered his asthma had progressed into pneumonia in both his lungs. His situation became acute. On top of all that, he also contracted a yeast infection in his lungs while in hospital.
It’s impossible to articulate how overwhelming an experience like this can be. Rapid fire decisions were being made to keep him alive. He was so sick he ended up on a ventilation machine for five days and remained in a sealed room for two and a half weeks under constant monitoring. At one point a hospital counselor requested a family meeting be arranged to discuss the possibility he might not survive. Thankfully, that meeting never took place.
We are extremely grateful for the life-saving care my brother received.
His care team at Surrey Memorial Hospital were superb. Right from the time he was admitted to Emergency, then to intensive care, and finally discharged – they were remarkable. Doctors progressively decreased his reliance on various breathing machines and he was finally able to breathe again on his own.
While my brother still suffers the aftermath of his double pneumonia; he continues to get stronger every day.
They wouldn’t survive without medical care and a healthy lifestyle.
Although my son and brother both struggled daily with asthma, they received fantastic care and improved through good food and exercise. Kyle, now 29, only suffers seasonally and has been able to participate in Climb himself three times! Our whole family is grateful that they are both able to live full, happy lives. I climb for them.
To support Sandra and team One Step At A Time click HERE to make a donation.
My brother has also had breathing issues since he was an infant. This past spring, we almost lost him. He was admitted to Surrey Memorial Hospital. His oxygen levels were so low, they had to hook him to life-saving machines to keep him breathing. Doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and care aids were constantly in and out of his room. Then a trauma cart rolled in.
It seems what began as a bad flu and triggered his asthma had progressed into pneumonia in both his lungs. His situation became acute. On top of all that, he also contracted a yeast infection in his lungs while in hospital.
It’s impossible to articulate how overwhelming an experience like this can be. Rapid fire decisions were being made to keep him alive. He was so sick he ended up on a ventilation machine for five days and remained in a sealed room for two and a half weeks under constant monitoring. At one point a hospital counselor requested a family meeting be arranged to discuss the possibility he might not survive. Thankfully, that meeting never took place.
We are extremely grateful for the life-saving care my brother received.
His care team at Surrey Memorial Hospital were superb. Right from the time he was admitted to Emergency, then to intensive care, and finally discharged – they were remarkable. Doctors progressively decreased his reliance on various breathing machines and he was finally able to breathe again on his own.
While my brother still suffers the aftermath of his double pneumonia; he continues to get stronger every day.
They wouldn’t survive without medical care and a healthy lifestyle.
Although my son and brother both struggled daily with asthma, they received fantastic care and improved through good food and exercise. Kyle, now 29, only suffers seasonally and has been able to participate in Climb himself three times! Our whole family is grateful that they are both able to live full, happy lives. I climb for them.
To support Sandra and team One Step At A Time click HERE to make a donation.
