CORNER BROOK The future is unpredictable in the best of situations; for some it is nearly impossible to foretell.
Vicky Biggar (formerly Stratton) of Corner Brook has something to strive for these days: a family reunion she thought might never occur. The Biggar family of Calgary, Alta. is one of 10 families chosen to reunite through the online contest Shaw’s Amazing Family Reunion.
The contest was launched online Nov. 29, inviting Canadians to create a virtual scrapbook page sharing their story of why they wanted to reunite their family. More than 5,000 people participated. Ten families were chosen by a panel of judges to create their dream family reunion valued up to $25,000.
Biggar has not been home in seven years, her husband Brodie has never been to Newfoundland, and neither have her twin three-year-old girls Keira and Kaley.
That is not unusual for many Newfoundlanders who left their homes to start a life in other parts of the country and world. However, the Biggars have been surrounded by miracles directly in the face of tragedy.
Kaley was born with Down syndrome and a severe heart defect. She has survived 18 major surgeries — some of which her parents were told she was not expected to live through — and many complications. She spent the first two years of her life at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, finally getting discharged for the first time in July 2010.
“For us, we just don’t know what future means,” Biggar said Tuesday. “If I can get her home to meet the ones who have been praying for her the last couple of years, it would mean everything to us.”
The trip to Newfoundland will depend on when, or if, Kaley receives medical clearance to travel.
The tiny girl has another surgery scheduled next month, Biggar said, and, if that goes well, they are hoping to be able to take the trip this summer. If that cannot happen, they do have until December 2012 to do so, according to the contest rules.
This occasion also means a lot to Biggar’s family in Newfoundland. Lindy and Marjorie Stratton have spent much time in Alberta over the past three years, doing all they can to help their daughter and grandchildren. However, for her brother Craig, the past three years has meant feeling helpless much of the time.
“Where you are so far away, there’s nothing you can do,” he said. “It is mind-boggling to be honest with you. It is really hard to deal with because you can’t help when your hands are tied.”
An opportunity to meet his nieces, and see his sister again, is something he is grateful for.
“It is hard to explain what it would mean, but I would be pretty darn happy to see them,” Stratton said.
Biggar’s sister Michelle Murphy, who lives in St. John’s, has three children who have never met Keira and Kaley.
“This is going to mean the world to us, it is fantastic,” Biggar said. “I couldn’t ask for anything better than for this to happen to us right now. The last three years has been so difficult with our daughter, it is nice to finally be able to get a bit of good news.”
A video of the Biggar family can be seen on Youtube at http://bit.ly/hr2FN0.
CORNER BROOK The future is unpredictable in the best of situations; for some it is nearly impossible to foretell.
Vicky Biggar (formerly Stratton) of Corner Brook has something to strive for these days: a family reunion she thought might never occur. The Biggar family of Calgary, Alta. is one of 10 families chosen to reunite through the online contest Shaw’s Amazing Family Reunion.
The contest was launched online Nov. 29, inviting Canadians to create a virtual scrapbook page sharing their story of why they wanted to reunite their family. More than 5,000 people participated. Ten families were chosen by a panel of judges to create their dream family reunion valued up to $25,000.
Biggar has not been home in seven years, her husband Brodie has never been to Newfoundland, and neither have her twin three-year-old girls Keira and Kaley.
That is not unusual for many Newfoundlanders who left their homes to start a life in other parts of the country and world. However, the Biggars have been surrounded by miracles directly in the face of tragedy.
Kaley was born with Down syndrome and a severe heart defect. She has survived 18 major surgeries — some of which her parents were told she was not expected to live through — and many complications. She spent the first two years of her life at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, finally getting discharged for the first time in July 2010.
“For us, we just don’t know what future means,” Biggar said Tuesday. “If I can get her home to meet the ones who have been praying for her the last couple of years, it would mean everything to us.”
The trip to Newfoundland will depend on when, or if, Kaley receives medical clearance to travel.
The tiny girl has another surgery scheduled next month, Biggar said, and, if that goes well, they are hoping to be able to take the trip this summer. If that cannot happen, they do have until December 2012 to do so, according to the contest rules.
This occasion also means a lot to Biggar’s family in Newfoundland. Lindy and Marjorie Stratton have spent much time in Alberta over the past three years, doing all they can to help their daughter and grandchildren. However, for her brother Craig, the past three years has meant feeling helpless much of the time.
“Where you are so far away, there’s nothing you can do,” he said. “It is mind-boggling to be honest with you. It is really hard to deal with because you can’t help when your hands are tied.”
An opportunity to meet his nieces, and see his sister again, is something he is grateful for.
“It is hard to explain what it would mean, but I would be pretty darn happy to see them,” Stratton said.
Biggar’s sister Michelle Murphy, who lives in St. John’s, has three children who have never met Keira and Kaley.
“This is going to mean the world to us, it is fantastic,” Biggar said. “I couldn’t ask for anything better than for this to happen to us right now. The last three years has been so difficult with our daughter, it is nice to finally be able to get a bit of good news.”
A video of the Biggar family can be seen on Youtube at http://bit.ly/hr2FN0.
