Father completes 200 km walk for daughter’s U.S. surgery

A devoted father completed his 200 km Mile 4 A Miracle walk from London, Ont. to Queen’s Park on Wednesday to raise awareness to fund his daughter’s surgery in New York. 

“We are trying to get this surgical intervention in New York City to restore her independence so that she can have a full life,” said the father, Joe Gesualdi.

Joe and his family met with London MPP Teresa Armstrong at Queen’s Park where they delivered their final message. 

“Today, I want the people of Ontario to understand what it took for my family to get here. I want you to see what it actually looks like when somebody becomes trapped between the cracks of a health-care system that is supposed to catch them … my OHIP out-of-country funding denial is currently under appeal before the Health Service Appeal and Review Board,” Sydney said.

Ontario’s health-care system won’t pay for the surgery, which is only available in the U.S.

The family says it is needed to save Sydney’s life, who is suffering from craniocervical instability. Her dad says OHIP denied the funding, saying the surgery was not the appropriate intervention for her injury, which was sustained in a 2023 car accident.

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“This isn’t just about helping me. I want the next 24-year-old whose life changes overnight to encounter a health-care system that says we may not understand this yet, but we believe you and we are going to help you,” Sydney said.

Sydney’s father has been calling on Premier Doug Ford and the minister of health to clear the red tape. 

“OHIP now behaves like an American insurance company denying care, fighting patients instead of collaborating and opening pathways to treatment,” Joe said.

On Wednesday, the Ontario Government told CHCH News that the minister has agreed to meet with the family. The family has also confirmed that this is true.

The parents are trying to raise almost $500,000 in donations for their daughter. As of Wednesday afternoon, they’ve raised around $230,000.

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