An international roller derby match held at the Weyburn Curling Rink on Saturday benefitted a local family dealing with medical issues.
The Weyburn Strait Jackettes hosted the Minot, North Dakota-based NoDak Knockouts for a roller derby match, and Weyburn emerged the winners by a score of 169-142.
There were just over 100 people in attendance, and the 50-50 draw raised $220. This will be matched by the team, for a donation of $500 to be made to the family of Billy Franklin.
Billy Franklin is the 11-year-old son of Travis and Anita Franklin, of Weyburn. Billy had been struggling for several months with many health problems such as dizziness, random bruising, severe headaches, back pain and stomach problems. They had numerous appointments and ER visits in Weyburn, Regina and Saskatoon, being sent home with diagnoses from iron deficiency to psychological to “drinking more water”.
After finally getting booked for an MRI, the results showed that he has a condition called Chiari Malformation. It is a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. It occurs when part of the skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward.
Billy had emergency brain surgery (four hours and 23 staples later) in Saskatoon on May 18. Although they found his condition to be worse than they first anticipated, the surgery went well. Billy is home now, after being in the hospital for 18 days with his parents by his side, and feeling some relief from the neck, head and shoulder pain and countless other symptoms that were limiting his quality of life.
He has a long recovery ahead of him, as symptoms that were not expected have popped up. His speech and sense of humour have returned but standing and walking are still works in progress. He is still in a fair bit of pain and will not be able to return to school this year.
Travis has been unable to work due to recent shoulder surgery and Anita has had to take an unpaid leave of absence from work to care for their family.
For residents who wish to help further through this stressful time to help with the financial burden, there has been a fund set up at the Royal Bank and also a GoFundMe Page, both in Billy’s name.
