A parents real life nightmare - Tuesday 11/08/2026 💚

Tuesday evening, a call was received that no parent wants. Kaiden was out riding a bike with a friend, the same ride they always do, the same route, the same roads.

Kaiden had been seriously injured, this rapidly changed to critical. He was emergency intubated in resuss, underwent X-rays and CT scans, and admitted to the ICU at Waikato.

With each hour, day, specialised teams came with a new plan for our boy.

While being reminded at each plan it’s a case of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ we are being sent to Starship. (But we never flew)

His injuries are significant, multiple brain bleeds, his pelvis fractured in four places, a broken tibia repaired with plates and screws, and two severed tendons in his leg that control his foot and toes, which thankfully were able to be repaired. He also has significant grazes and a gash to his head.

The plan was to try and wake Kaiden Friday from 9am, except in true Kaiden fashion he threw a spanner in the works, and removed his breathing tube himself at 10pm Thursday, then followed an eventful night of ‘this is Kaiden’ to the nursing and doctoring team. (Starship was taken off the plans, thanks Kaiden)

I know we have a long and unpredictable road ahead, and we don’t know what each day will bring. But right now, we’re incredibly grateful that Kaiden is here, fighting, and showing us exactly how stubborn and strong he is. 💚 rehabilitation will be a necessity not a maybe.