A single mom in Renfrew is reaching out for help as she struggles with a rare illness.
Kayla Dagg suffers from Steven Johnson syndrome, which caused severe blistering and burns across her body due to an allergic reaction to medication she was given while she was being treated for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, and anxiety a few years ago.
The ordeal has left her unable to use most medications to manage the pain she still experiences from the burns, and she feels like Ontario Works and the local health services have shown little compassion as she and her family struggle to find the resources to obtain affordable housing, food, and medication that won’t set off another reaction.
Kayla adds that any solutions that have been presented to her have been temporary, and even as a priority case, the time on the wait list for help will stretch past 2 years.
The situation has severely impacted the wellbeing of Dagg’s family, with her two children also developing symptoms of PTSD during the ordeal.
Most of her support in handling Steven Johnson syndrome has come from online groups outside of Canada, and right now she’s reaching out for a closer group of people who have experienced the illness for support.
Right now, Dagg is looking for assistance with completing her disability application and having it reviewed. She’s also set to join Renfrew’s Town Council when sessions return on Tuesday, August 8th, to share her story and bring light to what is happening to some people in the community.
(written by Kasey Egan)