A remarkably strong family indeed! This family demonstrates courage and strength after wife Dia was diagnosed with a rare and malignant (fatal) case of MS, known as Marburg Variant Multiple Sclerosis. When Kiersten was just 10 months old Dia was diagnosed with this form of MS, which was the first case in this region in the past 25 years. This has resulted in many challenges for Ashton, husband, father and student. With a wife who is unable to be left alone, this family relies on the help of extended family members to make it through each day. Dia’s father is on an unpaid leave of absence from work to help his daughter and granddaughter. Ashton is currently a student at SIAST in Moose Jaw taking the Architectural and Building Technologies course and is currently on a 4-month work term but will need to return to school for two more years to complete his program.
The home the Strong’s live in is the home Ashton grew up in. And though it is a great family home it is not accessible for Dia’s wheelchair. As result, Dia is often unable to participate in family activities, and to spend quality time with her family. Some things that would improve their quality of life are wider hallways, completed floors, accessibility to the basement and backyard. An improved bathroom would ease the daily challenges Dia faces. The medication required to help Dia from getting another attack costs approximately $1400/month. The health benefits they are approved for right now may expire at the end of August, leaving great concern about where the finances to pay for this will come from. The sad truth is due to the severity of her MS, if Dia has another attack it could leave Kiersten and Ashton without a mother and wife. This family cannot afford household improvements and medication for Dia. Even though, financial stress is upon them, it is not Ashton’s greatest fear. Ashton’s fear is the fear of facing life alone – answering questions that Kiersten may have about a mother who is no longer, walking Kiersten down the aisle alone or worrying if today is the last he and his wife will share together.
Accessibility is the main concern for the Strong family’s home. Though Dia can walk around the house a little bit at this time, the day will come where she may need to rely on her wheelchair completely and making these modifications to the house now would benefit them greatly in the future. It is this family’s dream to have a safe and accessible house for Dia, Ashton and Kiersten to spend much-needed quality family time in.
