The province just made hefty cuts to a program that secures lodging for families with sick kids in hospital, impacting many, including a Vancouver Island family that has logged several hospital stays over the years for their son.

While 10-year-old Kai Barlow is the picture of health now, it’s been a long and uncertain road to get here.

At just a few months old, Kai suffered heart failure due to a faulty heart valve.

His mom, Sandy Barlow, said emergency surgery had to be performed in Vancouver, the only place in B.C. where specialized pediatric treatment is available.

“Right now he’s rocking a mechanical mitral valve, which means he is on a bunch of medications and blood thinners. He’s had some complications over the years, he’s been airlifted twice to children’s when he had a critical

See Full Page