Kai’s Dream Takes Flight with the Snowbirds

Born at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital with an undetected congenital heart defect, Kai faced serious health challenges from the very start. As an infant, he was diagnosed with severe congestive heart failure at NRGH by his now-cherished pediatrician, Dr. Cox.

Twice, he was airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital—one of those times in critical condition with a life-threatening valve clot. His family will never forget the quick actions of the NRGH emergency and pediatric teams, including Dr. Digney and Dr. Bartleman, who helped save his life.

Over the years, Kai has grown up under the watchful eyes of NRGH’s Pediatric Clinic and many departments across the hospital—radiology, lab, inpatient pediatrics, child life, and emergency. As his mom shares, “We simply could not live in Central Vancouver Island without having access to the skilled staff at such an amazing regional hospital.”

Through all the procedures, hospital visits, and uncertainty, one thing has always brought Kai joy: airplanes. He has spent hours at museums, air shows, and airports, watching planes soar overhead. He has climbed on the old Silver Star jet that once stood along the Chemainus highway, and he has watched Top Gun Maverick more than a hundred times. His dream has always been to meet real-life pilots, and for years he’s hoped to one day meet the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

This summer, thanks to the generosity of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the support of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, Kai’s dream finally took flight.

When his family was invited to a Snowbirds barbecue event, Kai could hardly contain his excitement. They expected to meet a few members of the team, but instead, the entire Snowbirds squadron was there: the pilots, the technicians, and the crew who keep everything running smoothly. With a warm introduction from Tina at the Foundation, Kai met Major Brent Handy, the Snowbirds’ team lead and “Snowbird 1.” Major Handy walked Kai through every detail of a CT-114 Tutor jet, answering his endless questions and sharing stories. For Kai, it was already the best day of his life.

But the magic didn’t stop there. During their first airshow over Nanaimo Harbour, Major Handy told Kai to wave at him from the crowd. Kai spent the entire performance waving his heart out. Then, for the Saturday show, Kai was invited to join the safety pilots, Captains MacDougall and Dionne, to listen live to the Snowbirds’ in-flight communications. Sitting alongside them, headset on, Kai got to experience the show as an honorary Snowbird, learning firsthand what it takes to fly in one of the world’s most iconic aerobatic teams.

And then came a moment his family will never forget. During the performance, the Snowbirds drew a giant heart in the sky—a special dedication to Kai. For his mom, watching her son’s face light up beneath that heart was an overwhelming gift of joy and healing. “I maybe cried a few happy tears several times that day,” she admits.

For Kai, the experience was life-changing. For his family, it was a rare gift of hope and light in the midst of an uncertain medical journey. As his mom reflects: “These memories will help us anchor to better days and big dreams.”

Now, Kai is counting down the days until his 12th birthday, when he’ll be old enough to join Air Cadets, just like many of his new heroes once did. While his health journey holds challenges ahead, the gift of this experience—made possible by the kindness of the Snowbirds and the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation—has given him something priceless: memories of joy, courage, and the knowledge that dreams really can take flight.