When health services aren’t covered, local families feel it
When he was just four years old, Kason was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis and uveitis (inflammation in his eyes). His arthritis was severe, affecting about 19 joints in his body, including his ankles, knees, toes, hips, elbows, fingers and neck.
The injections, steroid eye drops, and medications he needed were complicated and frightening for both Kason and his mom Kailey. “It was a very, very rough start,” the Kelowna mom recalls, describing how she learned to navigate the medical system on her own.
Kason still needs regular physiotherapy to help keep inflammation down and improve his mobility, muscle mass, and balance. But these regular sessions add up, exceeding what insurance covers. Kailey says she can’t afford consistent sessions without additional support.
Yearly grants from Variety make it possible for Kason to do physio sessions every two weeks. Variety also funded mental health counselling early in Kason’s diagnosis, helping him process his condition in a healthy way.
At nine years old, Kason is thriving. He loves jujitsu, soccer, ball hockey, and video games. His mom is proud to see him becoming more confident and comfortable in his own skin.
For Kailey, access to a range of supports on an ongoing basis has been transformative.
“He loves going to physio,” she says. “It’s something he looks forward to. And having the same physio since he was four means he trusts his practitioner. If he was only able to go a couple of times a year because of lack of funds, then he wouldn’t have that kind of trusting relationship. And I think that’s really important for kids.”
The average household income for families who apply to Variety BC is around $40,000 per year. On top of the rising costs of living in B.C., these families are also facing significant healthcare expenses. Whether their child needs a combination of adaptive equipment, specialized therapies, personalized education, counselling, and more, it’s easily overwhelming.
Public health funding and private insurance plans only go so far, leaving families like Kailey’s with few options.
Variety provides critical relief for families with personalized grants that give B.C. kids and their families access to support in their homes and communities. Last year, Variety supported families in over 45 communities in the Interior, and we’re committed to continue expanding our impact so more parents can access the resources their kids need to thrive.