“Pure Sunshine” – that’s how Bron Helgeson remembers her beautiful little boy, Mason, and why the Clare Valley shines a little brighter each year on August 29.
It’s been three years since Mason’s sudden death at just five years old shook the region, but he continues to light up the community- as friends, family and everyone touched by his story “go yellow” to celebrate and honour the little ray of sunshine.
“When we moved to the Clare Valley, it was like Mason was always a part of the community. He would always smile and say hello to anyone. He was pure sunshine – truly a one-of-a-kind kid.”
While no parent can ever prepare for the loss of their child – Bron’s transparent journey through grief and loss shines a light for others, and getting behind her hometown going “Yellow for Mason Eric”, is a way of brightening her darkest day, keeping her son’s memory alive, and raising awareness for others going through the pain of loss.
“I’m his Mum – this is the best way I know how to continue parenting him from this impossible distance.”
“If only we knew then, Mason would still be with us today”
In August 2021, the little blonde bombshell was in his first year at Clare Primary School – a milestone year filled with fun, friends, and the occasional outbreak of dreaded classroom bugs. Gastro had been doing the rounds, and Mason was seemingly another victim of the 24-hour virus. But unbeknownst to anyone, there was something far more sinister happening to little Mason’s body, and on the 29th of August, he passed away soon after being rushed to Clare Hospital.
“Everything went silent. I could see the doctor making gestures with her hands, but there was no sound. My mind was not comprehending the words she was saying – ‘we tried everything we could but unfortunately he didn’t make it’. My thoughts were telling me it was a joke, how is he dead? He was alive and fine yesterday, he was alive this morning. WTF? Why him?”
It was later discovered that Mason had died from intestinal volvulus (a twisting of the bowel), and more reports showed that his intestines had not properly adhered to the intestinal walls during the gestational period. While intestinal malrotation is almost impossible to pick up unless someone presents with issues early in life, Bron said the signs were there. He had suffered from bloating and constipation in the past, and after liaising with doctors and going through an elimination diet, gluten and dairy seemed to be the two main culprits of his discomfort.
“If only we knew then what we know now we would’ve pushed for more testing and Mason may have been able to have a procedure to reduce the risk of volvulus. I believe, if we had this knowledge, Mason would still be with us today.”
“I could never thank the Clare and surrounding communities enough”
You often hear parents say they could never survive the heartache of losing a child. And while Bron agrees that the old version of her died the day she lost her firstborn son, a new version was born, and despite the gaping hole in her heart, life was about learning to live again.
Just before Mason turned two, her partner Casey came into their lives. “They were both completely smitten with each other and I knew then that it was pretty much game over,” she laughed. Mason became a big brother to Ollie just 10 weeks before he died, and last September, Bron and Casey welcomed another baby boy, Bodhi. A busy mum, she also juggles work at the local paper, The Plains Producer, and is forever grateful to be part of such a kind and generous community. “The way everyone continues to rally around and support us, especially with Yellow for Mason Day, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I could never thank the Clare and surrounding communities enough.”
A strong advocate for parents going through grief and loss, Bron’s advice to others is to “allow yourself to feel everything”. “Don’t rush the process, lean on your support network, and if you don’t have one close by try connecting with other families on social media. This has been an absolute saviour for me. Know that it’s ok to ask for help.
“Grief doesn’t have a timeline and is something you carry with you always. But there’s also room for love and joy along side of it”.
