Parents: Dean & Renee Simmons
Siblings: Nancy 16 years old  and   Pie 13 years old:
Birthday and Age: Stephanie was born on September 11, 1994 and is 11 years old.  
Home: Stephanie lives with her family in London Ontario.
School Info: Stephanie has attended Lord Nelson Public School since JK and the entire school has been nothing but supportive.

Story: Steph has been sick for years and was treated for food allergies, gastrol reflux and a host of other problems before she became gravely ill, and was diagnosed with a Brain Tumour on February 23, 2004 in the Emergency Room of Children's Hospital of Western Ontario . As her parents, those were the most terrifying words we had ever heard.

Steph was admitted that same day, and was treated with Steroids to bring down the swelling in her brain in preparation for surgery. The tumour completely filled the fourth ventricle causing CSF to build up causing a condition known as Hydracephus. An MRI was done the next the day to check for tumours on her spine but that was clear thankfully.

March 1, 2004 Steph under went a 20+ hour surgery to remove a tumour the size of a kiwi. Pathology found the tumour to be an Ependymoma. She spent seventeen days in PCCU and was diagnosed with Posterior Fossa Syndrome, a complication that goes hand in hand with manipulation of the cerebellum, where Steph's tumour was removed. Steph lost her ability to breathe, smile, speak, and lost her ability to control any of her limbs. Steph was once again diagnosed with Hydracephlus and surgery was done to place a shunt in her head to help drain the CSF, she has had 7 shunts replaced since.

Stephie was mute until day fifty-four and we were never so happy to hear her beautiful voice. At this time Steph got busy with daily Physio, Occupational and Speech therapies, she put all her heart and fight into each session. Her goal was to get back the things we all take for granted, like walking, talking, and eating. May 28 we were discharged from CHWO and admitted to Bloorview MacMillan Children's Centre (located in Toronto ) for intense rehab for almost six months. As hard as it was to be away from the rest of the family for this long period of time, Bloorview was the best place for Steph to be.

By the end of August she was walking with a walker and by October she refused to sit in her wheel chair. You gotta love her stubborn streak, she just won't give up. Steph also worked hard at meeting her daily requirements to get that G tube removed. In November we came home and she returned to Lord Nelson. Steph continued with her therapies at DMA Rehabilitation and with CCAC, her progress was remarkable.

Sadly in April of 2005 it was discovered with one of her regular MRI check-ups that another tumour had developed not far from where the first tumour was. In June she had another tumour resection, the surgeon was able to get seventy percent of the mass. We were advised to try and kill the last thirty percent with radiation, five days a week for six weeks. In September, her MRI showed growth and the tumour had now grown around a major artery and involved some of her cranial nerves. The search was on for a surgeon who felt comfortable working in this particular area of the brain.  After exhausting all centres in Ontario our neuro-surgeon recommended a surgeon in New York City . We flew down in November to meet with Dr. Wisoff and he scheduled the surgery for two days later. We didn't even have time to think! Stephanie was very sick and in pain. After her surgery in N.Y.C. her post-op MRI showed NO TUMOUR! We cried with happiness, but we had a few losses too. Steph couldn't swallow again and she lost the hearing in her right ear. Some say it was a small price to pay to keep our baby with us.  In December she started Chemo to kill any cells that might be left behind. To date our Steph has given up a lot, she has double vision, hearing loss in her right ear, ataxic throughout but more so on her right, and a lot more. One thing she hasn't lost is the ability to smile, and make those around her do the same. Steph is our hero and we couldn't be more proud of her as she fights this awful disease every day of her young life.

Favorites:

• Color –  Green & Blue
• Number – # 3 because she was third born !
• Nick / pet names – Baby Steph, Stephie Baby, Princess, Beebs, S-Dawg and Hot Sauce
• Hospital staff – Lisa Pearleman, Dr. Ranger, Dr. Cairney, Dr. Cooper, Dr. Levign, Andrea Neufeld, Christine Hoogheim, Dr. Coveny, Janice, Carrie, Allison(thrapists), Dr. Wisoff, All of 7 South and All of 7 West,
• Nurses Julie, Cathy, MaryAnn(from the PMDU) and all of Child Life
• Teacher – Mrs. Hilton, Mrs. Henkemans, Mrs. Riddle, Mr. Overeem, Mrs. Adams, Mr. McLellan, Ms. Law, Michelle Peters, Mrs. Reath, Ms. Weames
• Treatment friends – Miss Georgia, Nicole, Taylor and Michelle
• Friends – Aaron, Shannon, Melissa, Moe, Kara, Nick K. and many others
• Events / moments –  Hip Concert
• Songs –  Blow at High Dough
• Pets –  A beagle named Rain.
• Past time/interests – Cards(she is a real shark), crafts, watching her “boys”- the LEAFS and torturing her sisters
• Traits – Sarcastic, funny, very smart, loyal, caring and sympathetic to others
• Books/cartoons – Toy Story movie, Charlie Bone, The Phantom Toll Booth, Harry Potter

Mom & Dads Comments: Stephanie is an amazing child who's bravery and strength precedes her. She continues to fight this terrible disease, and has fought with all she has to overcome the disabilities she has been handed from the numerous brain surgeries she has endured. Stephanie is loved by all who know her and she is a true hero to many. It is heart breaking to watch our little girl battle through this, wishing we could take her place and do more. All we can do is love her with all our hearts and continue supporting her, and in the end we believe Stephanie will prevail.