Local boy with brittle bone disease goes on trip of a lifetime

At 16 months old, Haiden’s mother Brandi noticed he was more fragile than other babies.

“He got one fracture just on the tiny bone of his elbow by falling off a coffee table,” says Brandi Thomas, Haiden’s mother. “Then he broke the two bones in his arm just before his second birthday, then just after his second birthday, he had a spiral break in his leg.”

After many months of wearing casts, going to doctors appointments and staying at the hospital, Haiden was diagnosed with Juvenile Osteoporosis, a brittle bone disease.

Haiden as a baby (Courtesy: Brandi Thomas)

Haiden has had a total of nine broken bones in his eight year life.

Haiden when he broke his collarbone (Courtesy: Brandi Thomas)

Brandi Thomas recently found out about Children’s Wish, after one of her daughters spoke to a representatives at school.

The foundation soon contacted the family to set up a trip.

After some thought, Haiden decided to use his wish to visit the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.

Along with his family, Haiden travelled east to enjoy an all-day ride pass, carnival games and all the cotton candy he could eat.

He even had personal transportation, an EXpress train with a custom license plate.

“We had our own train, it was called the Haiden express,” says Haiden.

“He seemed like a normal boy, he felt really special. It didn’t seem like he had the brittle bone disease,” says Thomas

The family also visited Niagara Falls, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, and Canada’s Wonderland during the trip.

Now back in Medicine Hat, Haiden’s returned to his Grade four classes.

He continues living with his disease, but it’s a battle he seems to be winning.

“He’s a pretty brave boy with a big heart and he hasn’t had a fracture since he was five so his bone density is just below normal now and he’s doing a lot better,” says Thomas.

by Jessie Weisner

Local boy with brittle bone disease goes on trip of a lifetime

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