SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - It is any parent's nightmare. Dale Bond, originally from Yellowknife, and her husband Allan have been watching their one-year-old daughter struggle for her life in the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton after being medevaced there from her hometown of Grand Prairie, Alta.

One-year-old Kammy Bond tested positive for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, pneumonia and Streptococcus A earlier this year, which caused her body to go into septic shock. As a result, she underwent four amputations on her limbs and is now on a long road to recovery with her family by her side and communities helping out in anyway they can. - photo courtesy of Tracy Johnston

After being in Edmonton for about two months and with their daughter's recovery expected to continue there until mid-summer, the communities of Yellowknife and Grand Prairie have being reaching out to help the family through both financial and emotional support.

Kamryn, fondly called Kammy by family members, was brought into the Grande Prairie hospital in February with laboured breathing and a fever. She tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus, which infects the lungs and breathing passages. Once in Edmonton, Kammy's body began to shut down due to the virus and invasive Streptococcus A, putting her body into septic shock.

Near death and on life support, Kammy fought back and her condition improved. But in order to save her doctors had to amputate both her legs, her right hand and parts of her left hand at the end of March.

"It's been overwhelming on so many different levels, not knowing from moment to moment what was happening or whether we would be planning a birthday or a funeral," said Bond. Kammy turned one on March 15.

"For weeks we lived off minute-by-minute news. It was up to Kammy. We could have lost her," said Bond's sister Tracy Johnston.

"Now we just all try and not take everyday for granted which I think a lot of people do. You don't know what can happen overnight. Things can change so fast."

Kammy's mother said the worst seems to be behind them and her daughter will be heading to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton soon where she will be fitted for prosthetics. Kammy will continue visiting the hospital every six months to get refitted as she grows.

The Bonds have received donations from fundraisers in Grand Prairie and now Yellowknife, where Kammy's mother grew up and where her grandparents lived for 35 years.

"The communities' support have been phenomenal. It's giving us a chance to focus solely on Kamryn and not worry about any financial issues or going into debt because of what we've had to endure," said Bond.

Lina Ball, owner of Bella Dance Academy, is organizing a recital on May 1 at J. H. Sissons School, with donations raised going to Kammy and her family.

"We're going to film it with little messages for Kammy and little dances for her that they've created, dedicated to her," said Ball.

The dance academy fundraised for a family with a sick child last year as well, with 45 dancers getting involved. This year, Ball said she hopes a few more will participate. The fundraising has already garnered $2,000 from Diamond Glass.

"I know so many people close with the family growing up here ... It's the Yellowknife connection really. So I just thought it was important to help out that way," she said.

Bond's parents, Dale and Linda Johnston owned Wolverine Sports Store in Yellowknife for nearly 20 years. The pair are also taking care of Kammy's two older brothers in Grande Prairie while their parents are by Kammy's side in Edmonton. Funds raised will also allow Kammy's grandparents and brothers to visit her every few weeks.

Linda Johnston, Kammy's grandmother and a former medical worker in Yellowknife, said this experience is something no one can be prepared for.

"It's been terrible. It's been really bad. I just feel so bad for her. She was just starting to learn how to walk, such a happy child. You see how it affects the boys. Every night they go to night and they just miss their mommy and daddy and Kamryn so much," she said.

Dale Johnston said he and his wife lived with their daughter for about a year when they first moved to Grande Prairie. They were there when Kammy was born and lived with her throughout much of her first year.

"You feel for Kammy, but as a grandfather and a father, I think greatly of our daughter, Dale, and her husband. It's very heart-wrenching," he said.

Johnston, his wife and two grandsons have been visiting Kammy and her parents as often as they can. He said it's amazing to see how well his little granddaughter is doing.

"To go from being so close to death, to go from that to see her after the amputations and the bandages still being able to pick up her soother. She actually picked it up and got it flipped around and back into her mouth the right way. I was dumbfounded," said Johnston.

He said the support from Yellowknife has been very moving. The Johnstons moved to Grande Prairie a little more than a year ago to be closer to their grandchildren.

"Yellowknife has always been a really fairly close-knit and supportive community," he said.

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