Kingsville family thankful for outpouring from community

Go Fund Me campaign raises over $24,000

By Mark Ribble

KINGSVILLE — The Stevenson family of Kingsville is thankful their daughter is alive, but also thankful to so many in the community who have supported them during their year-long ordeal that started on May 19, 2019.

Jill and Todd Stevenson and their children Zoe, who will turn 15 this weekend, and Quinton, now 11, have been the subject of a recent Go Fund Me campaign that raised over $24,000.

Their next door neighbours, the Martinho family, have always been close with the Stevensons, and Caroline Martinho and her daughter Meaghan took the initiative to start the Go Fund Me page to help the Stevensons out.

“We are so thankful to Caroline, Meaghan and their family,” said Jill. “The whole community has been a blessing.”

“The overwhelming support of family, friends, neighbours and the community is something we cannot put into words,” added Todd.

The ordeal began on May 19 of last year, when Zoe decided to go for a ride on a mini dirt bike. As usual, she took all the precautions — wore a helmet and was a very careful rider.

“She’s not a daredevil or anything,” said Todd. “She’s always careful with stuff like that.”

The freak accident that happened next, set in motion a series of events that would drastically alter the Stevenson family’s everyday life.

Zoe enjoying some time at the waterfront.

Zoe and the bike collided with a boat that was parked on a trailer and the point of impact was at Zoe’s throat.

Luckily, an off-duty paramedic was visiting that day and lifesaving procedures were started immediately on Zoe. She was conscious, but was helplessly gasping for air.

“We’re very fortunate that everything perfectly aligned,” said Todd.

The two EMS personnel who arrived by ambulance were both advanced, veteran paramedics and the family counts that as a main factor in saving Zoe’s life.

Someone was looking over Zoe on that day, from the paramedic being present, to the firefighters and EMS on scene who all had advanced training. From there, she was taken to Windsor Regional Hospital, where she received an emergency tracheostomy, and transferred to Detroit.

“Everything aligned, from the people who tended to her to the border being shut down to get her to Detroit,” said Jill.

For the next 12 days, the Stevensons kept a vigil by Zoe’s bedside as she underwent emergency reconstructive surgery on her throat. They also kept a daily journal to document not only Zoe’s daily progress, but also to document those who have helped along the way.

Firefighters and EMS showed up to see how she was progressing.

“We’re extremely blessed to have our daughter,” said Todd. “As bad as it is, it could have turned out much worse.”

Prior to the accident, Zoe was an avid volleyball player on her school team and had 10 years of dance under her belt.

This past year, she was able to keep stats for her teams, but it wasn’t the same as being out there playing.

The Stevenson family, from left, Jill, Quinton, Todd and Zoe.

In the year that has transpired since the accident, Todd says his daughter has adapted and transitioned to other interests.

“She’s now cooking, playing the piano and reading more,” he said. “She’s an amazing kid and has figured out a way to transition to those things she can do without difficulty.”

The Stevensons are proud of the way their daughter has responded to life’s curve ball.

“She has her down days but they are far outweighed by the up days,” said Jill. “Her attitude is, ‘it is what it is’.”

She’s been able to participate in school lessons virtually, but has fallen a little behind because of her ordeal. She completely missed her first year of high school and is on the verge of missing her second year.

The waiting game they are playing now revolves around a full throat reconstruction surgery they are hopeful for. It involves using rib grafts and is expected to be a full day long. The COVID-19 pandemic has postponed the surgery, which creates frustration and anxiety as they await the word from doctors.

Todd and Jill have had to reduce their work schedules while they cared for Zoe in the past year. When the surgery finally gets scheduled, they will need to take a significant amount of time off and that’s where the generosity of friends, family and even complete strangers, comes in.

Because she has to rely on her tracheostomy to support her breathing, Zoe’s parents are never far from their daughter. If she wants to visit with friends, Todd or Jill have to be close by to keep an eye on her oxygen levels. It’s hoped that the impending surgery will help with that.

“The Go Fund Me campaign is such a great idea,” said Jill. “And we are so thankful.”

“It’s been amazing to watch,” said Todd.

The page has also helped uplift Zoe’s spirits on those down days, as she’s been able to see familiar names on the donation list.

But mostly, it helps this close-knit family through one of the toughest ordeals anyone would have to endure. The money raised from the Go Fund Me campaign will help offset costs of trips to Toronto, tutoring programs for school and needs for Zoe’s recovery, such as physiotherapy, language therapy, equipment and medications.

Doctors expect the surgery to be performed this fall, but cannot give a definite date yet because of the COVID pandemic.

The Stevenson family, meanwhile, goes about their altered daily routine, waiting for the big day when Zoe will get her surgery, and hopefully gain back her independence.