Kaitlyn O'Brien Fund

To see me today you would be mind blown to know all that I've been through. 

From the moment I was born, my prognosis was dire. At the time, very little research had been done on my syndrome -- and doctors were figuring it out for the first time, as I was an unprecedented case, it was only through trial and error that they figured out a care plan.

With my complex care team in place, and constantly growing as more complications arose, I underwent countless life-saving surgeries. Eventually, I was diagnosed with VACTERL Syndrome – a disorder that affects multiple body systems. For starters I was born without a butt hole, to this day peeing and pooping are still challenging af. I also had major struggles with eating, I had a feeding tube for over 16 years! My quality of life was greatly impacted by my condition, but Sickkids made my life liveable. At 25, I am still performing complex daily procedures on myself to stay alive. This has become my norm, but it’s far from normal. 

When I was a kid I used to follow the footprints on the floor of the hospital atrium, (I still do to this day), and I would look up at all the names on the donor wall and say “one day my name will be there too”. 

I often think back to my 12th birthday, when I was admitted to SickKids with severe abdominal complications, and I remember telling my mom that I didn't want birthday presents, but instead I wanted people to make a donation to SickKids.

After I established The Kaitlyn O’Brien Fund it became my goal that by my 18th birthday, my name be engraved in the walls of my second home – it’s a goal I‘m honored to have achieved.

SickKids changed my life by giving me a chance at one. Without the doctors, I wouldn’t be alive, without the social workers, I wouldn’t have the confidence I have today, without the nurses, I wouldn’t know how to care for myself and without my entire support system, I wouldn’t have had the strength I needed to get where I am today. 

At its core, SickKids is a center for cutting-edge research and learning, and it’s the money raised through the foundation that makes this possible. I'm living proof of that, and that has become my drive to continue to make a difference. 

Although I am no longer a SickKids patient, they gave me the foundation to be successful. I’ve always wanted to give back to the hospital that saved my life, and help kids like me. I’m proud to share some of my recent and greatest accomplishments. In 2018, I earned my Degree in Health Studies from York University, then graduated from the Nursing program at Seneca College; two important steps in the journey to one day work at SickKids.