This Family Day, the Ryzebol family celebrates the miracle of simply being together.

On Family Day, the Ryzebol family will explore the frozen beauty of their hometown on the Bruce Peninsula, celebrating in a way that once seemed impossible. Together, they will introduce six-month-old Isaiah and his older sister Sarah to the magic of ice diving — a family passion grounded in a deep respect for nature and the wonders of freediving.

This day isn’t just about the thrill of adventure. It’s a moment Lilly Ryzebol could hardly have imagined a year ago. At the time, she took Isaiah ice diving in the womb, fearing it might be the only chance he’d ever have to share in her passion. Diagnosed with a severe and complex congenital heart defect, his future was heartbreakingly uncertain.

“This moment is a dream come true,” Lilly says. “Last year, we thought Isaiah would never get to experience this — never see us doing what we love. To have him here, healthy and thriving, is nothing short of a miracle.”

Isaiah’s journey from a critical heart condition to this joyful Family Day is a testament to resilience, faith, and the unwavering support of RMHC Toronto. Every breath he takes symbolizes the strength of love and community.

“For so long, my dream was just to hold him — alive or not,” Lilly reflects. “To see him now, thriving, is a gift beyond words.”

For the Ryzebol family, Family Day is more than an outdoor adventure. It’s a celebration of life, love, and the extraordinary kindness that made this moment possible — a day to cherish the simple, profound miracle of being together.

The Journey to Get Here: A Fight for Survival

Isaiah’s story began with a devastating diagnosis. Born with a severe and complex congenital heart defect, his tiny heart was missing a valve, had a hole, and was functioning with only one ventricle. The doctors delivered the heartbreaking news to his parents: Isaiah was not expected to survive long after birth.

Due to his condition, the Ryzebol family had to travel from their home in the Tobermory area to Toronto for Isaiah’s birth. 

Minutes after his birth, Isaiah was rushed through the underground tunnel connecting Mount Sinai Hospital to SickKids, where he underwent his first open-heart surgery at just two days old. The surgery did not go as planned, and Isaiah fell into an eight-day coma. At two weeks old, he faced another surgery, but his condition remained critical. By five weeks, his medical team informed the family that no further interventions were possible. Isaiah was sent home under palliative care with oxygen tanks, morphine, and a “Do Not Resuscitate” order.

“We brought him home not to celebrate, but to prepare for his passing,” Lilly remembers. “It was a long, heartbreaking drive, yet we wanted him to experience the world beyond the hospital walls, even if only for a few days.”

But Isaiah had other plans.

A week after coming home, a simple yet profound moment changed everything. Lilly recalls how her three-year-old daughter Sarah and her friends gathered around Isaiah, placing their small hands on him and praying. That night, Isaiah stabilized. By the next morning, his oxygen levels improved, and he started eating again. At his follow-up appointment, the doctors were amazed to discover that Isaiah’s pulmonary arteries had grown significantly, making him eligible for further surgeries.

In the following months, Isaiah underwent several heart catheterizations and open-heart surgeries. He overcame complications that necessitated a complete blood volume replacement and endured procedures that left his family grasping for hope. Throughout this ordeal, RMHC Toronto served as their sanctuary.

The Impact of RMHC Toronto: A Lifeline for Families

For the Ryzebols, the support of RMHC Toronto was life-changing.

“Without RMHC, it would have been impossible to stay close to Isaiah,” Lilly states. “Commuting four hours into downtown Toronto every day would have been impossible, and Airbnbs were simply too expensive for our growing family.”

Staying at RMHC Toronto allowed the Ryzebols to stay together during Isaiah’s surgeries. Their daughter Sarah, who had become homesick and stopped eating while with her grandparents, was able to reunite with her family. “It was such a huge relief to see her smile again,” Lilly shares. “Being together gave us the strength to face each day.”

RMHC Toronto became more than just a temporary accommodation — it became a second home. The warm, nourishing meals prepared by the in-house chef provided comfort after long days at the hospital. The gym offered a way to relieve stress, while the craft kits she loved seeing at the front desk excited Sarah and brought a sense of normalcy. The friendships they formed with other families created a supportive network that reached beyond the House.

“In the hardest moments, we found a community that understood what we were going through,” Lilly recalls. “Those connections brought joy during the toughest times. That’s something you can’t put a price on.”

A Bright Future and a Grateful Heart

Today, Isaiah is thriving — a jolly, curious baby who loves exploring nature. His journey is a testament to the power of hope, faith, and the extraordinary care provided by his medical team and RMHC Toronto.

As the Ryzebols celebrate Family Day, they reflect on how far they’ve come. “Isaiah’s laughter is a reminder of the miracles we’ve experienced,” Lilly says. “We’re forever grateful to RMHC Toronto for giving us the gift of time together during the most critical moments of our lives.”

How You Can Help

Families like the Ryzebols rely on the generosity of donors to stay close to their seriously ill children during the hardest times of their lives. Your support makes stories like Isaiah’s possible. Learn more about how you can help families in need at RMHC Toronto by reading more family stories or making a donation.

Every day is a gift. Let’s give more families the chance to celebrate theirs.