Broncos survivor living ‘in the light’ of fallen friends

Mark Dahlgren is proud to have a son who has handled himself so well through the Humboldt Broncos tragedy.

Many saw the now 21-year-old Kaleb Dahlgren as the spokesperson of the surviving group of players form the April 6 team bus crash that claimed 16 of his brothers, sisters and mentors.

He attended several public events in the months after, often wearing his Broncos jersey, always with a smile and a gracious attitude. A face of strength for the other survivors to look to.

His father told 650 CKOM Kaleb chose to come forward and speak to the media so others didn’t have to.

“He felt obligated to do that on their behalf so that they wouldn’t get asked,” Mark Dahlgren said.

“He thought he was helping the other survivors and even families by being that person who’s speaking about healing.”

The process of being that spokesperson in the aftermath also helped the Broncos assistant captain heal in his own way, as he dealt with his own injuries and the loss of 16 friends.

“Sometimes he gets more by talking about it than others get by listening to him,” Mark said.

Through it all, the young Saskatoon man has managed to maintain a smile and a positive attitude.

His father said Kaleb isn’t hiding anything behind that smile, it’s just his new philosophy on life and his way of honouring the people lost in the crash.

“He just has a different perspective on life and death and living, and that has fared him well in dealing with this,” Mark said.

“He chooses to live in their light and not in their darkness … He says ‘when I do something cool, I think how much they would have enjoyed it.’”

Even though Mark feels a lot of pride for his son, he’s still careful sometimes not to boast too much.

“Having a child that survived, there is that survivor’s guilt,” he said.

“The other families have been supportive of us … they’ve said don’t feel bad that your child survived, that they’re happy watching our son go and continue to heal and move on with his life even though they lost their children.

“But it’s a hard line to walk. You feel bad if you talk too positively about things going on in your life or your child’s life.”

With the one-year mark of the crash upon him on April 6, Kaleb politely declined an interview with 650 CKOM – choosing instead to let his father relay his message.

He’s now based in Toronto, going to York University and participating in their varsity Lions hockey program – though he’s not playing any games.

Most of Kaleb’s injuries have healed, including several broken vertebrae, and he is skating again. However, doctors still haven’t given him clearance for contact because of a significant brain injury he suffered in the crash.

Mark said the family is working with specialists working for the Edmonton Oilers, who have been “non-committal” about whether Kaleb will be able to play again.

But the determined Bronco hasn’t given up yet.

“We’re optimistic he will be able to play, but it’s an appointment by appointment basis right now.”

FOCUS ON COMMUNITY PROGRAM

While he pushes to get back in the game, Kaleb Dahlgren is still making positive change using his expanded platform.

He’s started a program called Dahlgren’s Diabeauties, where he brings children with type one diabetes together to show them they’re not alone. They get to attend York Lions games with Kaleb, and sometimes take part in the ceremonial puck drop.

Mark said the program has inspired children to pay it forward.

“It’s like he’s mobilized a bunch of little soldiers,” he said.

“One girl who is a Diabeauty, when a new child is diagnosed with diabetes she goes to the hospital and gives them a gift and introduces herself as a support for them.”

Other children involved in the program have travelled to Ottawa to advocate for more diabetic supports, or presented to their entire school about the condition to raise more awareness.

“To see these kids who are in a shell, who are shy about having type one diabetes … it’s phenomenal.”

The Dahlgren family is in the process of creating a foundation for Dahlgren’s Diabeauties so they can expand Kaleb’s work.