As a newborn, Ethan Schandl had severe reflux and troubles eating, sleeping and feeding.

His mother Fiona Schandl was sent home from the hospital without an explanation, told only that her baby was failing to thrive. Three years of testing eventually led to a diagnosis for the Schandls, but one that offered little relief from their daily struggles.

Ethan is allergic to food.

Now five years old and just 15 kilograms, Ethan lives off a diet of broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, squash, yams, applesauce and hypoallergenic formula.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an ongoing battle,B次元官网网址� Schandl said of her sonB次元官网网址檚 eosinophilic esophagitis. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 something that heB次元官网网址檚 going to have to live with forever. ItB次元官网网址檚 not a static condition either, so these six things that he has tested fine for could turn on him at any point.B次元官网网址�

Ethan works with a host of medical professionals for issues related to his allergies, as well as one weak leg and core muscle issues. The Schandls have long been connected to a team at the ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Health Foundation in Saanich, from occupational therapists and physiotherapists to speech pathologists and dieticians. This year the foundationB次元官网网址檚 Bear Essentials program gave $1,000 toward horseback riding lessons for Ethan, a therapy intended to strengthen weak muscles, a result of his nutrient deficiencies.

The sessions yielded unexpected results for Schandl.

B次元官网网址淚t gave him an activity for him that wasnB次元官网网址檛 food related, that didnB次元官网网址檛 need a lot of energy,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淗e absolutely loves it. ItB次元官网网址檚 his special time, a time that heB次元官网网址檚 able to control things. With his diet, we very much control it, but with the horseback riding, they let him take the lead and tell them what he wants the horse to do.B次元官网网址�

Ethan is currently trying to eat chicken, beef and oats. Schandl had added pork and corn to his diet, and both caused adverse reactions. Each time new food trials begin, so do the rounds of scopes and biopsies to determine whether or not his body will accept the foods.

He has already endured 12 procedures, including several biopsies performed under general anaesthetic.

B次元官网网址淲hen he wakes up, he doesnB次元官网网址檛 like to eat and he doesnB次元官网网址檛 like to drink. We typically stay in the hospital for longer than most kids would for a procedure B次元官网网址� because he wonB次元官网网址檛 let enough liquids in to get the IV out. This last one, he almost passed out when the IV came out. That was pretty scary in itself.B次元官网网址�

Despite the ongoing hospital stays and the physical challenges his leg presents, Schandl says her son is altogether pleasant to be around.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 lovely, happy and smiley and super funny. He suffers a lot, but you really wouldnB次元官网网址檛 know it to see him.B次元官网网址�

The ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is one of this yearB次元官网网址檚 recipients of funds from Black PressB次元官网网址� annual Pennies for Presents campaign, along with the Victoria Salvation Army. From now through Christmas Black Press is collecting donations B次元官网网址� in the form of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, bills and cheques B次元官网网址� at the Black Press office at 818 Broughton St. Collection jars will also be placed at businesses throughout Greater Victoria over the course of the campaign. Pennies for Presents is an Island-wide initiative, but all the money raised here stays in Greater Victoria.

Donations to the Pennies for Presents Campaign can be dropped off during office hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays) throughout December or at any of the following businesses.

Mayfair Flower Shop - Suite 158-2945 Jacklin Rd  Langford

Quality Cobbler - Suite 140-2945 Jacklin Rd  Langford

Corona Foods - 2155 Sooke Rd

Dodds Furniture - 715 Finlayson Street  Victoria

Heirloom Linens - #380-777 Royal Oak Drive

- 751 Vanalman Avenue, Victoria

- 5550 West Saanich Road, Victoria

- 5325 Cordova Bay Road, Victoria

Peppers Foods - 3829 Cadboro Bay Road, Saanich

Oak Bay Pharmasave - 2200 Oak Bay Ave. Oak Bay

Salon Modello - 2590 Cadboro Bay Road

Slater's Meats - 2577 Cadboro Bay Rd, Oak Bay

Verico Select Mortgage - 105-1497 Admirals Rd, Victoria

- 3212 Jacklin Road

Verico Select Mortgage - 1925 Oak Bay Avenue

Verico Select Mortgage - Suite 110-4460 Chatterton Way

Brick Langford - Suite 500-2945 Jacklin Rd

Capital Iron - 1900 Store Street  Victoria

4Cats Art Studio - 2279 Bowker Avenue

Standard Furniture - 758 Cloverdale Ave

Feys+Hobbs Canteen - 2249 Oak Bay Ave.

Goldstream Food Market - 976 Goldstream Ave.