By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
A Colborne family struggling after the mother suffered a devastating injury is making its way back a little more surely with the support of a helpful community.
The Sayeau family was turned upside down last Wednesday afternoon, when Keira took her two boys for a walk near their home. The six-month-old was secured to her body with a sling, and the four-year-old was allowed to bicycle along beside them, when a dump truck hit the small group. A horrified witness recalled for Today’s Northumberland how Keira did her best to protect the children, turning as she fell to ease the blow from the pavement to her new baby.
The children were checked out by doctors, her friend and colleague Holly Bresee subsequently reported, but Keira is in hospital in Toronto with broken bones and a long recovery ahead.
Holly is teacher at St. Mary’s Elementary School in Grafton, where Keira worked (before her maternity leave) as an educational assistant.
“She’s one of those people that would just give you the clothes off her back, a wonderful girl. She loves the kids she works with,” Holly said.
Keira’s husband Zac has had to stop working to care for his young sons. Because she can no longer nurse the baby, purchasing formula is a new expense for the family.
Friends are helping to ensure the house is cleaned, the dog is walked and the laundry is done. But what Holly calls the COVID Curse has been hard on everyone. The family can’t visit Keira, and she can’t hug the little guys she spent every day with as a stay-at-home mother.
And even apart from the pain, Holly said, “I was talking to her last night about what a shock to the system this is – your life changes in an instant.”
The family could use a bit of help from the community, and people are already coming through. One woman is getting meals together for the family, and another is collecting gift cards.
And other friends have set up a GoFundMe page and a bank account that will accept e-mail transfers.
You can read the story and make a donation at https://ca.gofundme.com/f/helping-get-keira-back-on-here-feet
And if you can help with an e-mail transfer donation, a gift card or some other way, you can contact Holly at sayeaufamily2021@gmail.com
If you aren’t comfortable making an on-line donation, you can also contact Holly at this address, and she will get back to you about picking up your donation.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
