Ava's Army

Ava's Story

Ava Deley is 7 years old born with a Genetic condition called Digeorges Syndrome. She has encountered many admissions at the Stollery since she was a baby. Ava required open heart surgery at 2 months old, resulting major complications which required staying at the Stollery for her first Christmas. She required an anoplasty repair when she was 8 months old, which unfortunately dehiscence open resulting in a colostomy. Her parents had to manage caring for Ava with a major wound, pain medication during her first summer. Her rectum required to be reconstructed surgically Sept 2018 which was successful. Next in Nov 2018 Avas colostomy reversal surgery happened, which unfortunately resulted in her bowel perforating and her body went to Septic shock in the PICU. Ava’s was in critical condition resulting in emergency surgery and her colostomy created with another bowel resection. Ava again had another major Abdominal wound that required caring for, with pain management. In the spring of 2019 Ava had her colostomy successful reversed. Ava has had 2 major dental surgeries when she was 4 and 5 years old. Recently Ava has had a Posterior pharyngeal flap which was completed January 2024. Ava has had a total of 11 major surgeries at the Stollery and countless days admitted. She has been through an extraordinary amount of pain and stress as a child. She has become so resilient, brave, and courageous. She is now in grade 2, excited to learn new things every day. She enjoys playing with her friends and always has a smile on her face. Without the Stollery, Ava wouldn’t be here. The Stollery has saved Avas life many times and has been an incredible support for Avas parents, Landon and Stephanie. Ava has become a big sister a couple years ago to Charlie, and has taken on the role amazing. We cannot thank the Stollery enough for all they do for Ava and the tremendous amount of kids surrounding.