The illness began at age 16 when she was diagnosed with gastroparesis \u2014 a chronic digestive disorder where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents into the small intestine. This has led to severe gastrointestinal and vascular complications, repeated hospitalizations and multiple bouts of sepsis<\/a>, an extreme, life-threatening reaction to an infection that causes the immune system to attack healthy tissues and organs, potentially leading to organ failure and death.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the hardest part, seeing her in pain. It\u2019s absolutely heartbreaking,\u201d Miles said of her youngest of three children \u2014\u00a0two of whom were born in Montreal while her husband, Barron, was a from 1998 until 2004. \u201cThat and the gastroparesis cause vomiting. The vomiting makes the pain worse. The pain causes more vomiting. It\u2019s a vicious circle.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s 23. She should be dating and working, having her own apartment and exploring the world. Instead, she\u2019s in bed, being fed through a tube. It\u2019s heartbreaking.\u201d<\/p>\n Their daughter requires life-saving surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio this August, but the family\u2019s insurance carrier has repeatedly denied claims because the procedure will be performed out of state. At least US$400,000 is required to cover the cost of the surgery, air ambulance, continued care and testing, medication and accommodation.<\/p>\n To complicate matters, Jennifer has her own health issues and suffers from Stage 4 endometriosis \u2014 a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the area, leading to inflammation, scarring and severe pelvic pain.<\/p>\n While monitoring her own health and dealing with her daughter, Jennifer has been handling the situation virtually alone while her husband remains in Calgary, serving as the Stampeders\u2019 defensive backs coach. That\u2019s the family\u2019s only income after Jennifer was forced to quit her job as a personal trainer.<\/p>\n Like many CFL families, the wife must serve as the foundation and rock star of the marriage while the husband, often located away from the family home, plays or coaches. Barron and Jennifer, who met when both were at the University of Nebraska, have been married 30 years.<\/p>\n While Barron was reluctant to discuss his daughter\u2019s plight, he was more than eager to laud his wife for holding the family together.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s doing a great job keeping all the pieces together,\u201d he said. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t get enough credit, because this event seems like it\u2019s never-ending. She has her breakdown moments \u2014\u00a0and that\u2019s when I come in, trying to keep her spirits up and assuring her things will work out. Sometimes she just wants me to listen and say it\u2019s going to be OK.<\/p>\n \u201cMy daughter loves me and football. She wouldn\u2019t want me to stop doing what I and our family loves \u2014\u00a0and that\u2019s football.\u201d<\/p>\n Miles completed his career playing for B.C. from 2005 to \u201909 under legendary head coach and general manager Wally Buono<\/a>. When Buono learned of the family\u2019s struggles earlier this month, he started a GoFundMe campaign<\/a>. As of Friday morning, nearly $58,000 had been raised.<\/p>\n![\"Ava](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0620-spt-inside-cfl-col-2026.jpeg\")
Ava Miles, 23, is battling median arcuate ligament syndrome, a rare and debilitating condition characterized by persistent pain, nausea and vomiting. Courtesy of Miles family<\/p>\n