East York girl’s family raises funds for recovery, awareness of AVM stroke risk

By JESSICA SHACKLETON

Nine-year-old East York resident Zoe Leon’s life dramatically changed when she had a hemorrhagic stroke caused by an Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) in 2024.

Since then, she has been working through intensive occupational therapy and physiotherapy to relearn everyday skills.

Rehabilitation of this scale is not fully covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), so her family has created a GoFundMe to reach out to the community to continue her recovery.

Zoe’s mom, Meghan McCormack, said community outreach has the power to turn one family’s experience into awareness and meaningful change.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support and compassion our community has shown us, but we also hope this story can shine a light on the challenges families face every day,” she told Beach Metro Community News. “I hope our community outreach inspires people to listen, care, and advocate for change so that every child has the opportunity to learn, participate, recover, and thrive regardless of their circumstances or disability.”

McCormack also hopes Zoe’s story will help government services recognize the need for stronger, more equitable support for those facing life-altering medical challenges.

“I am incredibly grateful that my daughter has had access to such a high level of care and therapy, but I believe every child and young person facing a brain injury should have the same opportunity regardless of their family’s financial circumstances,” she said.

“No family should have to turn to a GoFundMe or go to extraordinary lengths to access the therapy their child needs to recover and reach their fullest potential.”

According to Krembil Brain Institute at Toronto Western Hospital, AVMs are very rare but can affect all ages. It is a group of abnormal and poorly formed blood vessels that have a higher rate of bleeding. They are often discovered when they produce symptoms such as headaches or seizures, or result in a stroke.

The stroke Zoe suffered paralyzed one side of her body and, in order to save her life, doctors at The Hospital for Sick Children performed emergency decompressive craniectomy surgery, where a section of her skull was removed to relieve the pressure in her brain. She was in life-threatening condition, intubated, and sedated in the intensive care unit (ICU) for five days.

She later spent time at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and underwent another surgery to remove the AVM.

Though out of school for nearly six months, her mother said Zoe is showing great determination in her progress and treatment.
McCormack wants her daughter’s experience to bring awareness to signs of stroke in children and young adults and the importance of never dismissing symptoms.

Warning signs of pediatric stroke are often missed because there is a lack of awareness that it can happen to this age group. The American Stroke Association website Stroke.org uses the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T. which stands for Balance loss, Eye changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911.

“I want her story to remind others never to give up hope after a stroke, brain injury, or other life-altering event. During those difficult days in the ICU, one of the things that gave me the most hope was connecting with other families who had experienced similar medical events. Seeing their videos, stories of recovery, and glimpses of life after such devastating moments helped me believe that recovery and a meaningful life were still possible,” said McCormack.

Before Zoe’s stroke, she played soccer, hockey, ran cross country, swam, skied, and played with her younger brother. Then, after the stroke, all of her daily activities suddenly became a challenge. Her family said they appreciate the importance of these activities more than ever now.

“I hope her story also reminds us to live our best lives every day, to cherish our loved ones, never take a moment for granted, and not wait to do the things on our bucket lists. Life can change in an instant,” said McCormack.

Zoe is so much more than what she’s going through, stressed her mother. She continues to persevere through hundreds of hours of therapy and does it with a joyful spirit and positive attitude.

McCormack said Zoe is not one to feel sorry for herself and is instead focused on how she can make a difference for others and make sure people with disabilities are given the same opportunities as everyone else in schools and communities.

Zoe dreams of becoming a teacher and a Paralympic athlete in swimming or track one day, and she is already inspiring people with her determination, compassion, and resilience.

“Zoe has faced challenges that no child should have to face, but she continues to show us that her injury does not define her. She is a daughter, a friend, an athlete, a future teacher, an advocate, and a little girl with enormous dreams,” said McCormack.

To learn more about Zoe, her recovery journey, and how to help, please visit the GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-zoe-in-her-stroke-recovery