GreyBruceKids_Summer2020

COOL KID
Sam Acton, of Southampton,
has undergone six brain
surgeries and sustained two
strokes since January 2018.
Returning
the favour
THE SAUGEEN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
WAS THERE FOR SAM ACTON, AND
NOW SHE’S HELPING RAISE FUNDS
FOR THIS COMMUNITY RESOURCE
Sam Acton loves running, and hanging out and riding bikes
with her friends.
Yet, just 18 months ago, she was relearning how to walk.
In January 2018, Sam’s parents Derek Acton and Kelly O’Brien,
of Southampton, rushed their daughter to the Saugeen
Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Room as her flu-like symptoms
were worsening.
“The wonderful staff in the Southampton ER were patient
and kind to our scared little girl, as blood-work showed a
tremendous infection in Sammy’s body,” Kelly said.
The doctors stayed with Sam through the night in the Intensive
Care Unit until a CT Scan on her head could be performed. The
scan revealed multiple abscesses within and around her brain.
She was immediately flown to Victoria Hospital in London.
“With the testing and observations offered by the doctor and
the Grey Bruce Health Services team, they were prepared for our
arrival, and Sammy was brought directly to the operating room
for a life-saving operation to relieve the pressure on her brain,”
Kelly said.
Over the next four months, Sam would undergo four more lifesaving
surgeries, which left her needing a bilateral craniotomy —
the removal and rebuilding of the skull — causing her to sustain
two strokes and a neurological sympathetic storm, Kelly added.
All of these surgeries meant Sam, now a Grade 6 student at
GC Huston School in Southampton, had to spend six weeks
at a brain rehabilitation hospital, where she began her recovery.
Learning how to walk again was the toughest part, she said.
Through the ups and downs of recovery, Sam, along with her
family and friends, have found opportunities to give back to
the professionals at the Saugeen Memorial Hospital and the
community of Saugeen Shores, which has been very kind to her
and her family over the past two years.
Sam and three of her friends organized a bake sale at GC
Huston, with all proceeds going to the Saugeen Memorial
Hospital Foundation (SMHF).
“We baked, and baked, and baked,” Sam said. “Then we sold our
goodies during GC Huston’s Spring Concert. We wanted to give
money back to the place that helped me and many other people
in our community.”
Tracy Murray, Executive Director of the SMHF, said Sam and
her friends donated over $400.
“They also spoke on the radio during our annual radiothon to
help share Sammy’s story during our Light the Way campaign,”
Tracy said. “Last year, with their help, we raised a recordbreaking
$250,000!”
Sam also assisted the 2019 Light the Way campaign by sharing
her story on the radio, in flyers and at the inaugural Light the
Way Gala.
“It was very cool and interesting,” Sam said. “I learned that every
little bit adds up to a lot, and it feels really good to help out.”
Today, Sam works on improving her memory and brain function
with cognitive therapy. She is able to run, bike ride and hang out
with her friends again, her Mom said.
She’s also interested in all forms of art. She loves to sketch and
paint, and is a musical theatre junkie (her current favourite is ‘In
The Heights’). She also loves spending time with her three cats,
two bunnies and one fish, as well as her sisters Hallie and Robin.
Kelly said the community has been a rock for their family
through every step of Sam’s journey.
“During this emotional rollercoaster of a time for our family,
28 GREY-BRUCE KIDS • SUMMER 2020