(submitted photo/ GoFundMe)

By Tiffany Goodwein

‘My miracle baby, twice’: Community rallies behind sick toddler

Mar 10, 2020 | 4:15 PM

Oyen AB, – On a bright Sunday morning, three-year-old Lenroy, bangs on his drums. His smile beaming as his family and friends watch on.

It’s moments like these that mom Keniesha Smith cherishes. The moments when Lenroy, their child they struggled so hard to conceive because of infertility can be a regular kid.

But these jovial moments are a stark contrast from just a few months ago when the family’s lives were turned upside down.

“Lenroy started having tummy aches. We took him to the hospital and he became unresponsive his vitals were good, however his body was lifeless,” said Smith.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

12h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

18h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

Dec 11, 2024

The three year old was put into an induced coma and airlifted to Alberta Children’s Hospital. That’s when doctors discovered that Lenroy had a brain tumour.

A tumor, in his pituitary gland that is inoperable, something that no parent ever expects.

“The doctors said if they were to forcibly remove the tumour then we’d be left with less of a child.”

“After having three years of this wonderful kid you can’t really imagine not having him around,” Smith said.

Lenroy almost didn’t make it, but doctors saved him. Since then Lenroy went through two surgeries in order to drain the fluid from the tumour.

“I had an IV on me right here on this arm,” said three-year old Lenroy pointing to his left arm.

Now, a scar on the top of his head, a mere mark of the moment doctors operated on his brain twice to drain the fluid.

But just when the family thought they reached their breaking point, they were hit with another blow. A month after Lenroy was diagnosed with a brain tumour, his own father Kirby found out that his prostate cancer had returned.

(submitted photo/ GoFundMe)

“I just got to be strong for him and be there for him,” said Lenroy’s father Kirby Smith.

“ He’s my world, he’s my world.”

But there troubles didn’t end there, mom Keniesha found out that due to government cuts she will no longer have a job at the end of the month, leaving questions as to how the family will pay the bills on top of the regular travel needed to get Lenroy to medical appointments.

But the small community of Oyen stepped up, creating a Go-Fund Me page for the family, and raising over $15,000 so far. A huge gesture from a community the Smith’s call family.

“It feels like I’m absolutely loved and cared for, it feels like a blessing,” said Smith.

A blessing all for a boy, who has gone through so much, and has so much life left to live.

“I always tell people that he’s my miracle baby twice,” said Smith