Stephen’s Story

On April 12, 2001 Stephen entered into our world as a healthy, bouncing baby boy to his proud parents Elaine and Paul. Older brother Nathan and sister Lindsey welcomed little Stephen into the family as their baby brother. The first three years were like any other little boy: midnight feedings, lots of diapers, tears, first steps, first words, and playing and arguing with his older siblings.

However, Stephen was not quite himself a week after his 3rd birthday. Something was not right. Doctors diagnosed Stephen having Leukemia, “the cancer of the blood”. He began a journey to battle this cancer within him with his doctors, nurses, family and friends. He tried not to let his chemotherapy get in the way of living a little boy’s life.

Stephen started Junior Kindergarten in September 2005, progressed through to Grade Two. In school, he showed his teachers leadership skills and his ability to get along with
others.

Stephen was an active little man when his health permitted him. Aside from playing with his schoolmates at recess, Stephen liked to ride his bike, throw and catch a baseball, play on the backyard swing set, play hockey in the driveway, and go tobogganing and play in the snow. Stephen excelled at one particular activity…bowling. He seemed to possess a natural talent for the game. He proclaimed himself as “The King of the Pee Wees” after becoming the 2007 Pee Wee Bowler of the Year at his home bowling lanes… Arcade Eastown.

August 16, 2007 was Stephen’s last day of treatment for Leukemia. The treatments lasted three years and four months. He had beaten Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. For the next ten months, Stephen was hoping to leave cancer behind and start living the way a seven year boy should.

It wasn’t to be. Last July, cancer returned in Stephen’s body. He was diagnosed with Leukemia again but a different form (Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia) with less chance of a cure. Once again, Stephen battled the disease just like before but he was losing the war.

Stephen had a few wishes that were fulfilled. He went with his family last July to Orlando, Florida to visit Walt Disney World. Last October, Stephen travelled to Branson, Missouri with his family to visit the Titanic Museum. He saw dinosaur skeletons at the Royal Ontario Museum. Last November, he met Gene Simmons from KISS. Stephen wanted the time that he had left to be spent at home with the most important people that he loved in his life: his parents Elaine and Paul, his big brother Nathan and his big sister Lindsey. Stephen had one ultimate wish which was never granted: to be a normal boy. God has important plans for him. On February 9, 2009, Stephen received his angel wings.

Thank you Stephen for being a part of our lives. We will always remember you “little man”. Rest in peace.