GreyBruceKids_Summer2020

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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
Now open in 49 locations! the community of Saugeen Shores has offered their support and love to us in every way imaginable. We aren’t sure how we could have survived it without it.” GBK MILLER INSURANCE is the sponsor of our Cool Kid feature, which appears twice a year. If you know a Cool Kid, please email Publisher Amy Irwin at amy@greybrucekids.com. Huge thank you to our amazing staff for acting so quickly and working so hard to setup home offices so they can continue to provide the same excellent service to our clients! greybrucekids.com • 29
Page 1 and 2: SUMMER 2020 • Volume 10 Issue 2
Page 3 and 4: FROM THE PUBLISHER Hang in there, p
Page 5 and 6: In what seems like a blink of the e
Page 7 and 8: phone calls, texts, letters and doo
Page 9 and 10: As parents and caring adults, it’
Page 11 and 12: WHO IS AT RISK? We do not have the
Page 13 and 14: questions in much the same way you
Page 15 and 16: Most adults find themselves living
Page 17 and 18: However, if there is a part of you
Page 19 and 20: SCIENCES Elementary It’s Okay to
Page 21 and 22: Secondary Visual Arts National Gall
Page 23 and 24: The Grotto *There may be travel res
Page 25 and 26: around the lake, it’s the perfect
Page 27: Startrails greybrucekids.com • 27
Page 31 and 32: Wiarton Kids Den Day Care/Kids Club
Page 33 and 34: Owen Sound and North Grey Union Pub
Page 35 and 36: Register your child Choose excellen

GreyBruceKids_Summer2020

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