Kendric Campbell

To my Kendric, on your high school graduation, I'm not much of a writer anymore with my new brain, but I wanted to write you a little graduation message..

I still remember the night before your first day of kindergarten. I barely slept, wondering how on earth I was going to leave you at school for the day. Then morning came, and off we went.
I remember my heart pounding, feeling flushed and dizzy, trying to remind myself to breathe. But more than anything, I remember your face. The "please don't leave me" face. I carried you into the school. By then, I was so used to carrying you everywhere. After everything you had already gone through, I think my arms were your safe place. When I tried to put you down, you wrapped yourself around my neck so tightly that I still remember the little claw marks you left behind. You screamed, you kicked, you cried. I tried so hard not to fall apart. The teachers literally had to pry you out of my arms. The moment I walked out of that school, I broke down. I couldn't imagine how either of us was going to do that every day.....But we did.

Together...Just like we did with everything else life threw our way.

The years passed. You graduated from Bessborough and headed off to high school. I remember thinking about all the fun memories you were going to make. Then freshman year changed everything...Your first stroke took the use of your right side among many other things...Watching you go through that was the hardest thing I have ever witnessed. After everything we had already been through together, this one completely crushed me. I think it was because you understood exactly what was happening. You knew what you had lost, and I couldn't fix it for you. But then I watched something incredible happen...I watched you slowly rebuild yourself. Every movement, every therapy session, every accomplishment that most people would never think twice about became another step forward. It wasn't easy, and there were days when you were frustrated. But you kept going...Somewhere during that journey, you discovered just how capable you really were. You poured yourself into school. You set your sights on Mount Allison, and from that moment on, nothing was going to distract you from that goal. You worked harder than anyone I know, determined to prove, not to anyone else, but to yourself..that your future would never be defined by what happened to you. While others saw report cards, I saw the determination behind every grade. I saw the late nights, the perseverance, and the strength it took to succeed after everything your brain had been through.

And now here we are. You graduated high school! You did it!

Kendric, I hope you know this diploma represents so much more than four years of school. It represents every obstacle you've faced and every single time you refused to let those obstacles define your future. When I watched you walk across that stage, I couldn't help but think about that little boy who held onto my neck so tightly because he didn't want me to leave him on his first day of kindergarten. Somewhere between that little boy and the young man who crossed the graduation stage, you became one of the strongest, kindest, courageous, and most determined people I know. You have overcome more than most people will face in a lifetime, yet you've never stopped believing in yourself or your dreams. There are no words big enough to tell you how proud I am to be your mom.

Congratulations, my graduate. Mount Allison is so lucky to have you, and I can't wait to watch you chase your next dream 💫.

Love Mom 💙

Just like that, much like high school itself, graduation week is over....As I sit here reflecting on everything this week has meant, I find myself overwhelmed with pride and gratitude.

Kendric officially graduated from McNaughton High with Honours AND Distinction, earning a 91% GPA!! Those numbers are impressive, but they only tell a small part of the story. What they don't show are the countless hours of hard work, determination, perseverance, and courage it took to get here. Kendric was ALWAYS working, studying and focused on school. Absolutely nothing was getting in his way...

There were many moments when the road ahead looked different than we had once imagined. High school wasn't about making the varsity basketball team or attending the cool parties anymore, it quickly became about the basic things like walking the halls without his rollator, not having to use the elevator or using his paralyzed hand again to simply hold a pencil...Kendric refused to let obstacles define him. He showed up, worked incredibly hard, pushed himself, and kept moving forward. Watching him chase his dreams with such determination has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.

To say I am proud doesn't seem like enough.... I am truly in awe of the young man he has become. His strength, resilience, kindness, and unwavering belief that anything is possible have inspired everyone around him. This week wasn't just about a diploma, it was about celebrating EVERY challenge he overcame to earn it.

Thank you to our family, friends, and community who have stood beside him throughout this journey. Thank you to the teachers, educational assistants, coaches, administrators, and school staff who believed in him, encouraged him, and helped him see what was possible. There are so many of you who have played a role in his success, and we will never forget the impact you've had on his life.

We are also deeply grateful to the Ron Smyth Scholarship, the Lutz/Lutes Family Scholarship, the Wee College Scholarship, the Three Fathers Memorial Scholarship, and the Rene "Pepsi" Memorial Scholarship for believing in Kendric and investing in his future. Your support means more than you know. HE WILL make you all proud.

And now, as he prepares for the next chapter, we are incredibly thankful to his dream school, Mount Allison University for awarding him a $12,000 entrance scholarship. To see a university recognize the potential we have always seen in him is such a special gift. I can't wait to watch you shine there!!

Kendric, you have taught us that courage isn't about never facing challenges, it's about refusing to give up when they come. You have exceeded every expectation, not because of your marks or awards, but because of the person YOU are...

I have never been more proud of a human being than I am of you.

Go chase those dreams, my boy. The world has no idea what you're capable of yet. ❤️🎓💙

Kendric's Prom 💛

It’s a BIG week for our super graduate, prom tomorrow and graduation on Thursday.

I have never been more proud of a human being than I am right now. Watching you work so hard and stay dedicated to your academics, despite all the other crap life has thrown at you, has amazed me. Most people will never truly understand how much you've had to overcome just to get here.

This week is about celebrating everything YOU have accomplished. Every challenge, every setback, every long day, and every victory brought you to this moment.

You deserve every single moment of this week, Kendric. Soak it all in. We couldn't be prouder. ❤️🎓

Wee College was so much more than a daycare for Kendric. During his illness, they surrounded our family with love, support, and kindness. We are truly grateful for everything they have done for us and are honored that Kendric was selected to receive this scholarship. Thank you for your generosity and continued support. Wee College, Inc.

Three years wait for driving assessment. One eager young man. Hoping all goes well for K.

Big news in our house today, Kendric got into residence at Mount Allison University🎉! He’ll be studying psychology, and it’s starting to feel very real now 🥹. So proud of him and all the hard work that got him here.

Excited (and maybe a little emotional) for this next chapter..💙

“All dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

**Picture: K’s first Mt A hoodie (12 years old.) He has ALWAYS dreamed of being part of this school.

Kendric is slowly completing his IWK clinic follow-ups one by one. Over the years, we’ve been through nearly every clinic at the IWK. Some have been part of his life since he was just 3 years old, when we first entered the world of childhood cancer.
One of the most constant supports has been the Endocrine Clinic. Dr. Mokashi has been there from the beginning. After 15 years of incredible care, we are now transitioning to adult endocrinology.

I feel confident with most of Kendric’s transition into adult care. But the emergency side of things is what truly terrifies me.
The IWK has been our safety net for 15 years..our place of answers and calm in crisis. Letting go of that feels like stepping into real uncertainty. In my opinion, young adults with complex medical histories need a better bridge in emergency care. That gap is real, and it is frightening. I was literally his “ambulance” during his last two strokes. There was no waiting, no hesitation, just getting him to the IWK because that’s where he needed to be.

I am deeply grateful for the IWK and everyone who has cared for Kendric over the past 15 years. But I can’t pretend that losing that immediate, trusted emergency support doesn’t scare me. I just truly believe there has to be a better plan in place for young adults like Kendric during this transition. He definitely deserves that...