I was in Vancouver for two weeks, mostly for work-related activities. Near the end of my stay, Fawn flew down with Jade and Halia. Upon seeing them again, I marveled at how much kids can change in such a short amount of time. My jaw was constantly dropping because of the things that Jade was saying and the things she could do. After all the drug- and seizure-induced delays, we're really seeing progress now.
Halia, too, is as good as walking. She still chooses to scootch on her butt over long distances, but she's perfectly capable of doing it as a biped.
Fawn and the girls came down because it was, once again, time for Jade to get an EEG. We wanted to know: Will the EEG show any progress? Are the ongoing challenges and tribulations of the ketogenic diet worth it? Has removing her allergens improved the situation?
We sleep-deprived her and did the test.
Afterwards, we met with the epileptologist who told us the results. When she was sleeping, Jade's EEG showed that she's still having seizures and that the seizures are disrupting her sleep, effectively waking her up. Being woken up shortly after you fall asleep is not a good thing. We have more work to do.
On the bright side, Jade's EEG also showed that she had NO seizures during the waking portion of the test. None. Zero. Zippo.
Overall, it's a major improvement.
WOOHOO!!!
Now, we're weaning her off of the last of her medications, will likely do another ratio increase, find a substitute for her supplements (which contain an allergen), and will remove any newly discovered allergens once we get the expanded allergy test results.
In three months, we'll go back to BC Kids, but this time Jade won't have a short, sleep-deprivation EEG. Instead, we'll hook her up for eighteen hours wand let her sleep, eat (keto food), play, and live life like any normal kid with a dozen wires attached to her head.
She'll look like some kind of crazy discount-store cyborg and I, for one, am looking forward to it.
Vive la progrès!
Our first family sailing adventure...
I've got to say that the sailboat is the perfect blend of family-together-time and adventure.
Making the transition to a sailing family has been easy, thanks to the wisdom and expertise that has been shared by Scott. Scott has the same boat that we do, but with just about every creature comfort that you could imagine, including a furnace. Scott is the Commander of the Yukon Power and Sail Squadron, which Fawn and I will definitely be joining. They've got a lot of great courses, including the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (which you'd better get if you haven't already got).
Although we mostly stayed around Richthofen Island there was no shortage of great scenery. As we savored the views, some tourists on the "Great River Journey" were doing the same.
After beating to the north end of the island, we ran to the south end. The wind was strong and there were large, rolling waves. We were using only the genoa. We want some practice time without the kids on board before we run up the mainsail.
Eventually, we made our way into Jackfish Bay. I instantly fell in love with it. The sun was shining on the rocky outcrops, which made for a great harbour. We furled our sail, motored into a nice spot, and dropped anchor into the muddy-clay bottom.
After a meal and some snacks, we hoisted the anchor, made our way back to Deep Creek, and went home, planning to return the next day.
After some extensive preparations for our first night on board, we finally made it back to Lake Laberge. Fawn took care of meals and pajamas while I sailed and motored us back to Jackfish Bay. The wind was calm and evening pleasant. Waterfowl floated lazily as we made our way by.
Just like when we go camping, it took a while for the kids to fall asleep. It was a cool night, but the boat stayed fairly warm, just from our body heat.
When I finally crawled into the rear berth and snuggled under the blankets, I fell into a deep sleep as the boat swung gently back and forth on the anchor.
The next morning, we were greeted with overcast skies, a little bit of rain, and a stunning rainbow. I got the boat underway while Fawn dealt with a cranky, teething baby and a temporarily jealous sister in the cabin. It wasn't the idyllic way that I was hoping to spend the day, but it was still better than being stuck at home.
The plan was to sail to the north end of Laberge, but the south-wind that we were running with soon died off. I turned on the outboard, but started having mechanical issues. The nice thing about owning a boat that is driven by either power or sail is that, when one won't work, there's always a back-up. Instead of trying to get further down the lake, we played it safe and made our way back to Deep Creek, where the sun came out and we spent the rest of the afternoon aboard, napping, eating, and relaxing.
Tomorrow, I'll be taking the new outboard to the shop to see what's wrong. I hope they can fix it quickly - I really want to get out on the water this weekend!
Making the transition to a sailing family has been easy, thanks to the wisdom and expertise that has been shared by Scott. Scott has the same boat that we do, but with just about every creature comfort that you could imagine, including a furnace. Scott is the Commander of the Yukon Power and Sail Squadron, which Fawn and I will definitely be joining. They've got a lot of great courses, including the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (which you'd better get if you haven't already got).
Scott's MacGregor 26M, loaded with all the bells and whistles.
A beautiful day for a sail.
Although we mostly stayed around Richthofen Island there was no shortage of great scenery. As we savored the views, some tourists on the "Great River Journey" were doing the same.
Great River Journey's first vessel, "Shakat".
After beating to the north end of the island, we ran to the south end. The wind was strong and there were large, rolling waves. We were using only the genoa. We want some practice time without the kids on board before we run up the mainsail.
Running with just the genoa.
Looking north, sailing alongside Richthofen Island.
Eventually, we made our way into Jackfish Bay. I instantly fell in love with it. The sun was shining on the rocky outcrops, which made for a great harbour. We furled our sail, motored into a nice spot, and dropped anchor into the muddy-clay bottom.
Having fun in Jackfish Bay.
Cuddling in the cockpit.
Happy in the forward hatch.
Playing in the cabin.
After a meal and some snacks, we hoisted the anchor, made our way back to Deep Creek, and went home, planning to return the next day.
After some extensive preparations for our first night on board, we finally made it back to Lake Laberge. Fawn took care of meals and pajamas while I sailed and motored us back to Jackfish Bay. The wind was calm and evening pleasant. Waterfowl floated lazily as we made our way by.
Booktime before bedtime.
Just like when we go camping, it took a while for the kids to fall asleep. It was a cool night, but the boat stayed fairly warm, just from our body heat.
Evening out the "porthole".
Moonrise.
When I finally crawled into the rear berth and snuggled under the blankets, I fell into a deep sleep as the boat swung gently back and forth on the anchor.
The next morning, we were greeted with overcast skies, a little bit of rain, and a stunning rainbow. I got the boat underway while Fawn dealt with a cranky, teething baby and a temporarily jealous sister in the cabin. It wasn't the idyllic way that I was hoping to spend the day, but it was still better than being stuck at home.
Rainbow off Richthofen.
The plan was to sail to the north end of Laberge, but the south-wind that we were running with soon died off. I turned on the outboard, but started having mechanical issues. The nice thing about owning a boat that is driven by either power or sail is that, when one won't work, there's always a back-up. Instead of trying to get further down the lake, we played it safe and made our way back to Deep Creek, where the sun came out and we spent the rest of the afternoon aboard, napping, eating, and relaxing.
Tomorrow, I'll be taking the new outboard to the shop to see what's wrong. I hope they can fix it quickly - I really want to get out on the water this weekend!
I will return.
There are some places that just get into your blood and you always feel a yearning to return. For me, the Nahanni is one of those places.
To get a glimpse of what the Nahanni country is like, check out this hour-long video of Environment Minister Jim Prentice's journey down the South Nahanni River.
You know it's gotta be an amazing place when a Minister can't find the words to describe it.
To get a glimpse of what the Nahanni country is like, check out this hour-long video of Environment Minister Jim Prentice's journey down the South Nahanni River.
You know it's gotta be an amazing place when a Minister can't find the words to describe it.
The most sought-after photo in Canada.
Everybody loves a good-news story. But you know what people love even more? A good photo (or a bit of video) to go with that good-news story.
I have been receiving calls from media all day, seeking permission to use the pictures I took after the search that found a missing two-year-old boy on the North Canol Road. Some of the calls have been fair and sincere. Some have been slimy. There has actually been begging.
All of this put me in a bit of a moral dilemma. I am thinking about the family in question, here.
An experience like that is emotional to the extreme. Even though it had a successful outcome, it is no less traumatic.
On top of everything they've already been through, add to that the judgmental, ill-informed, and often mean-spirited opinions about the parents (and the previous owners of the dog) that have been posted to several news agency websites. What those commenters don't seem to realize is that they're talking about real people - real people they know nothing about - who may, one day, read what they have written. If you read through those comments, and they weren't true, and they were about you, how would you feel?
Right now, those family in question is nameless and faceless, and I imagine there might be some comfort in that anonymity. The media's job, however, is to tell a story and nothing tells a story like a good picture. Do I want to be responsible for giving a face to those judgmental commenters?
Right now, I don't. I think the family has been through enough.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I would rather err on the side of caution. For this reason, I have temporarily removed the image of the mother and her son. I have granted permission to one news outlet (which will be making a donation to the Whitehorse District Search and Rescue Society) for use in a national newspaper (where it's hard to leave judgemental comments).
I understand that the media are just trying to do their job: The people demand their images! I completely understand the curiosity that drives people to want to know more.
What I don't understand are the judgmental (and ill-informed) commenters. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but you that doesn't mean you have to share it. For all website commenters out there: Please try to be more understanding (and better informed) before you judge others.
I have been receiving calls from media all day, seeking permission to use the pictures I took after the search that found a missing two-year-old boy on the North Canol Road. Some of the calls have been fair and sincere. Some have been slimy. There has actually been begging.
All of this put me in a bit of a moral dilemma. I am thinking about the family in question, here.
An experience like that is emotional to the extreme. Even though it had a successful outcome, it is no less traumatic.
On top of everything they've already been through, add to that the judgmental, ill-informed, and often mean-spirited opinions about the parents (and the previous owners of the dog) that have been posted to several news agency websites. What those commenters don't seem to realize is that they're talking about real people - real people they know nothing about - who may, one day, read what they have written. If you read through those comments, and they weren't true, and they were about you, how would you feel?
Right now, those family in question is nameless and faceless, and I imagine there might be some comfort in that anonymity. The media's job, however, is to tell a story and nothing tells a story like a good picture. Do I want to be responsible for giving a face to those judgmental commenters?
Right now, I don't. I think the family has been through enough.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I would rather err on the side of caution. For this reason, I have temporarily removed the image of the mother and her son. I have granted permission to one news outlet (which will be making a donation to the Whitehorse District Search and Rescue Society) for use in a national newspaper (where it's hard to leave judgemental comments).
I understand that the media are just trying to do their job: The people demand their images! I completely understand the curiosity that drives people to want to know more.
What I don't understand are the judgmental (and ill-informed) commenters. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but you that doesn't mean you have to share it. For all website commenters out there: Please try to be more understanding (and better informed) before you judge others.
Lost.
As a parent, I can think of few things more horrifying than losing your child.
Jade was always a bit of a wanderer. When she was two, she would wander off into the trees, investigating berries, spruce cones, and other woodland goodies. Of course, we had to keep a very close eye on her.
I mentioned this to Elsie Marcellais, an elder in Nahanni Butte. She told me that, when her kids were toddlers, she used to put a ring of spruce boughs, prickly-side-up, around her barefooted babes. Because the kiddies didn't want to walk on the prickly - but otherwise harmless - spruce boughs, she had created a cheap and effective playpen.
Yesterday, a vacationing family that was camped along the North Canol Road experienced the nightmare of losing a child first-hand. At around 18:00, their two-year-old child disappeared.
I will attempt to share the story as I heard and witnessed it. Please forgive me if I get some of the details wrong. It has been a long day.
The child's parents recruited some nearby campers to help with the search. The neighbouring campers were missing their dog. Could the two be together? They searched, but it proved to be fruitless.
I can only imagine what was going through the mother's mind at the time. The night was cold and wet and the terrain in the area is rough, covered in thick willow patches. Most adults wouldn't make it through the night before succumbing to hypothermia, let alone a two-year-old child.
That night, the mother drove to Ross River to alert the RCMP. The Search and Rescue system snapped into high gear. RCMP specialists, including a tracking dog, were flown in. Search and Rescue teams were mobilized. The Rangers and other Ross River residents provided support.
I was part of the third wave of Whitehorse District Search and Rescuers mobilized for the search. First we flew in the RCMP's Twin Otter from Whitehorse to Ross River. Then we were driven 75 kilometres up the highway to the search location.
By the time we arrived, the child had been missing for over 24 hours.
Within moments of our arrival, there was news. They had found the child.
He was fine.
One of the WDSAR team members had spotted a small but inconclusive footprint that looked like it might have been made by a child's boot. The search focused in on the new area. A helicopter equipped with FLIR picked up a heat signature (the dog), which focused the search even more. When one ground team finished searching a grid, a new team resumed the grid.
Ryan Martin, one of my teammates from the 2007 Yukon Adventure Challenge and a fellow WDSAR member, was driving down the North Canol on his way home from work when he learned about the search. Ryan was working near the end of the search line when he spotted a dog, outside of the search pattern. Soon after, he spotted the child and the news was radioed out to the search teams.
Laura, who had spotted the footprint and who had been a part of the exhausting search since the morning, was standing beside the mother when the news came through. She said the look on the mother's face made it all worthwhile.
The dog, who had to have some porcupine quills removed from his snout, was received with a hero's welcome. The child was well dressed, but some have suggested that the child and dog cuddled together to keep warm.
The dog's owners didn't take their dog back. Instead, they gave him to the child's family.
Some of the WDSAR team made it back to Whitehorse tonight, while others are spending the night in Ross River, tired but happy.
As for me, it was my first WDSAR search: I travelled a great distance and never actually got to search. Am I disappointed? Not at all.
The child was found - alive - and that's what it's all about.
Jade was always a bit of a wanderer. When she was two, she would wander off into the trees, investigating berries, spruce cones, and other woodland goodies. Of course, we had to keep a very close eye on her.
I mentioned this to Elsie Marcellais, an elder in Nahanni Butte. She told me that, when her kids were toddlers, she used to put a ring of spruce boughs, prickly-side-up, around her barefooted babes. Because the kiddies didn't want to walk on the prickly - but otherwise harmless - spruce boughs, she had created a cheap and effective playpen.
Yesterday, a vacationing family that was camped along the North Canol Road experienced the nightmare of losing a child first-hand. At around 18:00, their two-year-old child disappeared.
I will attempt to share the story as I heard and witnessed it. Please forgive me if I get some of the details wrong. It has been a long day.
The child's parents recruited some nearby campers to help with the search. The neighbouring campers were missing their dog. Could the two be together? They searched, but it proved to be fruitless.
I can only imagine what was going through the mother's mind at the time. The night was cold and wet and the terrain in the area is rough, covered in thick willow patches. Most adults wouldn't make it through the night before succumbing to hypothermia, let alone a two-year-old child.
That night, the mother drove to Ross River to alert the RCMP. The Search and Rescue system snapped into high gear. RCMP specialists, including a tracking dog, were flown in. Search and Rescue teams were mobilized. The Rangers and other Ross River residents provided support.
I was part of the third wave of Whitehorse District Search and Rescuers mobilized for the search. First we flew in the RCMP's Twin Otter from Whitehorse to Ross River. Then we were driven 75 kilometres up the highway to the search location.
By the time we arrived, the child had been missing for over 24 hours.
Within moments of our arrival, there was news. They had found the child.
He was fine.
One of the WDSAR team members had spotted a small but inconclusive footprint that looked like it might have been made by a child's boot. The search focused in on the new area. A helicopter equipped with FLIR picked up a heat signature (the dog), which focused the search even more. When one ground team finished searching a grid, a new team resumed the grid.
Ryan Martin, one of my teammates from the 2007 Yukon Adventure Challenge and a fellow WDSAR member, was driving down the North Canol on his way home from work when he learned about the search. Ryan was working near the end of the search line when he spotted a dog, outside of the search pattern. Soon after, he spotted the child and the news was radioed out to the search teams.
Laura, who had spotted the footprint and who had been a part of the exhausting search since the morning, was standing beside the mother when the news came through. She said the look on the mother's face made it all worthwhile.
Reunited. PHOTO TEMPORARILY REMOVED (SEE THIS POST EXPLAINING WHY).
Ryan Martin
The dog, who had to have some porcupine quills removed from his snout, was received with a hero's welcome. The child was well dressed, but some have suggested that the child and dog cuddled together to keep warm.
The dog's owners didn't take their dog back. Instead, they gave him to the child's family.
The dog.
Some of the WDSAR team made it back to Whitehorse tonight, while others are spending the night in Ross River, tired but happy.
As for me, it was my first WDSAR search: I travelled a great distance and never actually got to search. Am I disappointed? Not at all.
The child was found - alive - and that's what it's all about.
WDSAR Searchers
What can I say? The man loves snow-jobs.
When I was campaigning for the Best Job in the World, one of my biggest supporters was Clare from The House and Other Arctic Musings. Heck, he volunteered to go swimming in the Arctic Ocean and even posted a video of his attempt.
Now, I'd like to return the favour.
I desperately, desperately, desperately want to go to Antarctica someday.
Desperately.
But as much as I want to go, I am refraining from entering the blogyourwaytoantarctica.com competition that's being hosted by Quark Expeditions. Instead, I am throwing my support behind Clare. Let's send this dedicated polar blogger from the Arctic to the Antarctic! Let's ship him from the land of ravens and snowy owls to the land of penguins and more penguins! Let's fly him from the land of glaciers and icebergs to the land of... glaciers and icebergs!
Register and vote today!
Now, I'd like to return the favour.
I desperately, desperately, desperately want to go to Antarctica someday.
Desperately.
But as much as I want to go, I am refraining from entering the blogyourwaytoantarctica.com competition that's being hosted by Quark Expeditions. Instead, I am throwing my support behind Clare. Let's send this dedicated polar blogger from the Arctic to the Antarctic! Let's ship him from the land of ravens and snowy owls to the land of penguins and more penguins! Let's fly him from the land of glaciers and icebergs to the land of... glaciers and icebergs!
Register and vote today!
Search and Rescue
A good babysitter is hard to find. Add onto that a kid with special needs whose caregivers need special training, and a good babysitter gets even harder to find. Needless to say, Fawn and I don't get to go on many dates.
Enter the Rescue Squad. Our friend, Linda, has been generously donating her time to give Fawn and me an occasional break from the responsibilities of parenthood. Best of all, it really is a break. We know the kids are in good hands. Linda is a seasoned parent who raised two adventurous boys, so we know she's dealt with just about any kind of disaster imaginable (and the boys turned out well, which only enhances our peace of mind). Even better, she invites a friend over for tea, and they tag-team meals and bedtimes for the kids. Hence the moniker "Rescue Squad".
Last night, Fawn and I went for a sushi dinner. Unfortunately, our dinner was a little rushed because I had a training session with a rescue squad of a different sort. Over the summer, I signed up for the Whitehorse District Search and Rescue (WDSAR). I figured, if I'm out in the bush and something happens, I'd want someone looking for me, so why not do the same for someone else.
The training was on how to use the Side Scan Sonar (SSS), which is used to look for vehicles, boats, or, sadly, bodies on the bottom of lakes and rivers. We looked at parts of Schwatka Lake and then took the boat through Miles Canyon. I had no idea that the canyon was 40' deep (at current water levels). Along the way, we saw a few sites of interest.
I've been planning on getting a similar system for the sailboat, so it was good to get the training. Maybe I'll be able to contribute a second sonar system to a search someday.
After the training, our date resumed. Thanks to Wendy (Hi Wendy!), we had tickets to the Frantic Follies (Man, there are some talented performers in that show). Later, we went to the Riverside Grocery for malts.
It's so nice to get out to spend some quality time with my wife, knowing that the kids were in capable hands. I look forward to doing it again soon!
Enter the Rescue Squad. Our friend, Linda, has been generously donating her time to give Fawn and me an occasional break from the responsibilities of parenthood. Best of all, it really is a break. We know the kids are in good hands. Linda is a seasoned parent who raised two adventurous boys, so we know she's dealt with just about any kind of disaster imaginable (and the boys turned out well, which only enhances our peace of mind). Even better, she invites a friend over for tea, and they tag-team meals and bedtimes for the kids. Hence the moniker "Rescue Squad".
Last night, Fawn and I went for a sushi dinner. Unfortunately, our dinner was a little rushed because I had a training session with a rescue squad of a different sort. Over the summer, I signed up for the Whitehorse District Search and Rescue (WDSAR). I figured, if I'm out in the bush and something happens, I'd want someone looking for me, so why not do the same for someone else.
The training was on how to use the Side Scan Sonar (SSS), which is used to look for vehicles, boats, or, sadly, bodies on the bottom of lakes and rivers. We looked at parts of Schwatka Lake and then took the boat through Miles Canyon. I had no idea that the canyon was 40' deep (at current water levels). Along the way, we saw a few sites of interest.
Running a grid over Schwatka Lake.
Changing some settings to get a clearer viedw of the lake bed.
I've been planning on getting a similar system for the sailboat, so it was good to get the training. Maybe I'll be able to contribute a second sonar system to a search someday.
After the training, our date resumed. Thanks to Wendy (Hi Wendy!), we had tickets to the Frantic Follies (Man, there are some talented performers in that show). Later, we went to the Riverside Grocery for malts.
It's so nice to get out to spend some quality time with my wife, knowing that the kids were in capable hands. I look forward to doing it again soon!
