Sawyer began his online learning journey in the fall of 2024. With a learning plan designed around his strengths and interests, he quickly began to flourish, pouring his creativity and curiosity into thoughtful, ambitious projects.
Then, in March 2025, everything shifted. A serious medical complication led to months of rehabilitation and recovery. Even so, learning didn’t have to stop for Sawyer. The flexibility of online education meant he could continue at a pace that worked for him – sometimes from his hospital bed, sometimes with breaks when he needed them, always with support close by.
What stood out most during this season wasn’t just Sawyer’s academic progress, (which he finished the school year with reports of excellent achievement) but the steady presence of care, encouragement, and adaptability that supported his whole journey.
Here’s what his mother shared about their experience:
Here’s what his mother shared about their experience:
“Within days of the tragic complication, Sawyer received a phone call from Rob, his HCOS teacher, who had become a well-respected mentor and source of encouragement for Sawyer. The phone call lifted Sawyer’s spirits, and Rob lifted our family to the Lord in prayer, which uplifted our souls during some very hard days.
HCOS generously gifted Sawyer and the whole Seinen family with an incredible Christian Counsellor who provided support to process together the traumatic experience and start the hard work of emotionally and mentally navigating life again with Sawyer’s new physical disability. Although Sawyer was ahead in several courses, he still had outstanding coursework to complete his Grade 8 school year. The HCOS staff provided feedback on ways Sawyer could meet the learning requirements while accommodating the demanding scheduling of acute rehab therapy at Sunny Hill.
Several weeks after the injury, Sawyer was slowly able to tolerate more and more time reading, and we could see his creative and humorous nature reappearing. Posts on Seesaw were soon once again capturing moments of growth, learning, and some pleasant experiences; in turn, invaluable feedback was provided by teacher Rob. The staff at HCOS have called and messaged many times with notes of encouragement and support throughout this journey, for which we are incredibly grateful.”
– Jana Seinen
Sawyer’s story is a reminder of how meaningful learning can continue, even in the midst of profound challenges. With the right support, a flexible learning environment, and space to grow at his own pace, Sawyer was able to stay connected, keep learning, and slowly rediscover his voice and creativity. His journey speaks to the resilience of students and the power of community to walk alongside them, no matter what life brings.
