When 27-year-old Kaylee Goemans received a call from her doctor that she needed to take her 6 week old son, Dominic, to the ER because of complications with an intestinal disorder, she rushed right in. Having lost her job when 28 weeks pregnant, making it so she didn’t qualify for government maternity leave pay, she opted to park on the road. Paying $3 for 4 hours of parking, rather than $15 in the hospital lot. She thought, because the tests had already been run on her son, that she’d be out in time. When she realized she wasn’t going to make it, and not wanting to leave her son alone in the ER, she posted in the New Barrie Moms Everything Buy and Swap facebook group to find out if she should expect a ticket or expect to be towed.
What happened next was beautiful. Over 100 comments with offers or words of encouragement came pouring in. Some of the offers included coffee and food from Rachel Banks
I live just around the corner from the hospital so if you need anything at all pls don’t hesitate to contact me anytime! If your meter is running out or you just need a coffee or some food!!! Hoping all goes well and your baby gets well very soon!!
Stephanie Gougen commented that she had just added metre time.
2 more hours added no need to worry about that. Give baby a hug from me,
Jen Grenier also offered some food and emotional support
Kay, Do you or your husband need anything? A Coffee? A meal? A hug?
The mom of three was touched by the support.
Even now, I’m still completely overwhelmed. These people were pretty much strangers but they have even offered to babysit for free, let me park in their driveway near the hospital in the future, and one even dropped off a hospital parking pass that I can use for two weeks.
With so much talk of “mommy-wars” taking over the internet it’s wonderful and touching to see moms coming together to really lift up and support a local mom. This is what community is about.
Photos courtesy of Kaylee Goemen‘s facebook
