Easter Seals House quickly became a lifeline for Ashley’s family after she was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition at just six months old, a diagnosis that would shape much of her childhood. Before her first birthday, she underwent her first open-heart surgery at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. For the next 18 years, Ashley and her family travelled from Kelowna to Vancouver twice a year for ongoing cardiac care. Throughout those years, Easter Seals House was their steady home away from home, offering comfort and stability during a long journey filled with uncertainty.
For Ashley, Easter Seals House became both a symbol of safety and a reminder of what lay ahead. Her earliest memories include the colourful whale sculptures outside the building, the sign that she had arrived at Easter Seals House and that everything would be okay. Inside, she remembers quiet evenings in the common room, watching TV, and meeting other children facing serious illnesses. For her younger sister, those shared spaces offered chances to play, meet new friends, and feel entertained during long stays. “Consistency is key. I knew it was gonna be the same routine” she said, describing how the familiar environment helped her family manage the stress of constant medical travel.
When she transitioned to adult care in Kelowna around age 18, Ashley no longer needed to travel to Vancouver for medical care. Ashley’s time at Easter Seals House came to an end, but her connection with the organization never faded. Years later, she and her family became involved with Snowarama, a snowmobile poker-run fundraiser that supported Easter Seals House. “We did Easter Seals for two years with Children’s Hospital and then we changed our recipients to local families,” she explained. The event raised thousands of dollars each year and even helped a local family cover travel costs for their child’s heart surgery. “They basically play poker on the mountain, going cabin to cabin,” Ashley said with a laugh.
Today, Ashley has endured three open-heart surgeries and four pacemaker procedures, most recently a mitral valve replacement in June 2025. Despite everything she’s been through, she continues to give back, spending her time and talents as a photographer for Easter Seals Drop Zone and other events. “Growing up, that was all a scary time… I didn’t talk about it for late teens to early adulthood. I couldn’t talk about any of it without crying or having anxiety attacks,” she said. “Now, if I can give back, I give back.” Ashley’s message to others facing similar challenges is simple but powerful: “I am here to tell you your illness or disease doesn’t define you. Live life to the fullest at your own pace! We go through the surgeries and trauma to be able to do what we are doing each day.”
For Ashley and countless families like hers, Easter Seals House is more than just a place to stay — it is a constant source of comfort, consistency, and allow access to care during some of life’s hardest moments. It gave families peace of mind, knowing that when their medical journeys bring them to Vancouver, there is always a safe, welcoming place waiting for them. That legacy of compassion continues, made possible through the generosity of donors. Every contribution helps keep the doors open for families who need a home away from home, allowing Easter Seals House to remain a vital part of BC’s community of care.
