Remembering Sierra

This past October 29 th was the day to remember 7- year old Sierra Dickinson from Burford.

The day marked the one- year anniversary that Sierra was traveling with her 10-year old brother Dakota, and her Mom and Dad, Patience and Bill. They were involved in a tragic accident and Sierra lost her life, three weeks before her 8th birthday.

Paramedics rushed the Dickinsons to the emergency department at the Brantford General where the hospital became the focal place for the family, their friends and relatives.

“Bill was treated and released,” Claire Forgie, Sierra's grandma (mother of Patience) said. “However, Patience had head trauma, broken ribs and injuries to her back, while Dakota was treated for neck injuries and cracked vertebrae.”

The staff in the emergency department did whatever was required to help the family through such a catastrophic event. “I have nothing but praise for everyone in the hospital,” Claire said. “They were very, very compassionate. We had many family members, friends and relatives coming and going from the hospital over those days.” One of the things the staff did was to prepare a quiet room for the family and all their needs.

The accident happened three weeks before Sierra's 8th birthday. Her birthday wish was to go to the Build-a- Bear store in Kitchener and make a teddy bear. It was all Sierra wanted for her birthday but sadly she never got to do that.

Recently, as the first anniversary approached Patience and Bill knew they wanted to do something, so they asked, “Would it be silly to go to the Build- a Bear store?”

The day came and four generations of Sierra's family gathered at the Build-a- Bear store.

There were about 35 at the workshop; it was mild chaos. Each person chose the bear they wanted to build and how to dress it up. The store provided pink and purple ribbons- Sierra's favourite colours- to decorate each of the bears.

After the bears were built everyone carpooled back to great-grandma's (June Speers) house in Burford for a potluck lunch. They shared memories of Sierra and looked at photos before it was time to go en-masse to the BGH. All along the plan was to donate the bears, in Sierra's name, to help comfort sick children.

About 30 people arrived at the hospital where staff from the emergency department joined, including the only staff person that Patience can remember. There were more photos snapped and a few more tears shared.

The Dickinson family decided to keep a pink teddy bear and the spotted puppy they had made. All the other stuffed toys, including a beautiful brown bear called Sierra, a cuddly white bear named Snowflake, a biker bear, an angel bear and a fluffy long- eared rabbit were handed over to the emergency department staff.

“Apart from the caring assistance of the Brantford General Hospital, friends and relatives,” Claire said, “Our family has come only through this with the strength, comfort and peace from our Lord and Saviour.”

Gary Chalk is senior executive director- public affairs & development for the Brant Community Healthcare System. Brantford General is a regional health centre providing primary, emergency and services. The Willett, Paris, is a multi- service health centre providing urgent care, primary care and community outreach programs.