July & Early August 2026
Healing, New Milestones & Taking Our First Steps ForwardSome months are about surviving. Others are about slowly learning how to live again. July was a little bit of both. While life is still filled with appointments, physiotherapy, prosthetic fittings and uncertainty, this month also gave us something we haven't felt in quite some time... Hope.
🦿 Chloë's Rehabilitation Journey
Every week brings another small victory. Rehabilitation continues through CHEO while our amazing team at Smiths Prosthetics works toward creating Chloë's first prosthetic leg. Watching her determination has been incredible. Every appointment teaches us something new, every fitting gets us one step closer, and every little success reminds us how resilient she truly is. There are still difficult days. There are still tears. But there are also smiles that are becoming more frequent.
🏥 My Own Recovery
Many of you know that while caring for Chloë I also suffered my own injury after slipping on our accessibility ramp.Thankfully July brought encouraging news. My orthopedic surgeon confirmed everything is healing well. Although I still have two metal plates, eight screws and plenty of discomfort, I was finally cleared to begin weight-bearing and physio, and advised to wear the air cast when out and about. When inside, I use a new ankle brace that has helped immensely. By the end of the month I was able to start driving Chloë to many of her appointments again. It may seem like a small thing, but after weeks of depending on everyone else, it felt like getting a little piece of my independence back.
🎉 Charlotte Turns 9!
Not everything this month revolved around hospitals. We celebrated Charlotte's 'last birthday in the single digits' marking her 9th birthday. Celebrated over three weekends-first with the Garner clan, then her friends the following weekend and most recently with Justins' side of the family. A special shout out to my in-laws and oldest brother who are all July babies. Happy belated birthday to any other July birthdays we may have missed. This year, Charlotte and her friends tryied something new - at least for Charlotte, one of her friends had been rock climbing camp this summer so we were in awe. They tried various types of rock climbing ) and a ninja obstacle course somewhere we had never been -at Altitude Gym -in Kanata. Special thanks to Mateo who was their 'host' whilst they giggled about how you look like singer Benson Boone. After all that she went through and saw her sister go through, we wanted to make sure this year was extra special. Altitude made sure the party definitely was! Sometimes normal moments are the most extraordinary.
🌩️ Canada Day
Canada Day looked a little different this year. We watched the celebrations from home while enjoying our first try at a Canadian Flag Cake before severe storms rolled through the National Capital Region. We were excited to see one of our favourite Canadian actors, Melissa O'Neil from The Rookie, co-hosting the noon time show. Both Justin and I along with Chloë's uncle Simon have all worked the noon and evening shows. Justin and I 'talent wranglers'when the shows were done from Parliament Hill. It has now moved in front of the War Museum in light of the decade plus long Centre Block Project. Wherever you celebrated, we hope you had a great day. Our thoughts are with any of you/those who are still cleaning up.
🎥 Video of the Month
One of our favourite memories this month.
📅 Looking Ahead
- 🦿 More prosthetic fittings
- 🏥 Continued rehabilitation
- 🚶 Learning to walk with a prosthetic
- 💙 More family adventures
- 📚 Preparing for Grade 12 and Grade 4 resuming September 1rst
❤️ Thank You
Your messages, prayers, comments and encouragement continue to lift us up. This journey hasn't been easy. But because of your support, we never feel like we're walking it alone. Thank you for continuing to follow Chloë's story. Every visit to this blog reminds us just how many people are cheering her on. Love, Suzanne, Justin, Chloë & Charlotte