The Jackmobile-a mobility van for Jack
Donation protected
We would like to raise funds to help with the cost of a mobility van to accommodate our 8 year old son.
Our story begins with the birth of our beautiful son Jackson. Jackson was born at 28 weeks and immediately captured our hearts. We were warned by the nurses of every problem that a preemie could face, but we were hopeful that Jackson's problems would be few. However, it soon became clear that Jackson's body could not digest breast milk or special formula. At three weeks, he suffered from NEC, short for Necrotizing Enterocolitis, which can be fatal. This is a very painful condition. He was heavily sedated and treatment started immediately. Luckily, his body responded to the treatment and he slowly improved. We thought we dodged a bullet. After two and half months at Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, we were getting ready to finally take our baby home. But first, Jackson had to have another brain scan, his third. That scan changed our lives and Jackson's life. The doctor showed us the three scans that were taken, one a day after Jackson was born, one at about 3 weeks and then the last one. The first two were normal and the last one was devastating. There was extensive brain damage that the doctor believed happened as a result of a grade 4 brain bleed that Jackson suffered when he was sick with NEC. We never knew about the brain bleed and were told that even if the doctors knew it was happening, nothing could have been done to stop it. The prognosis was that the damage would most likely result in Jackson having cerebral palsy. Our hearts were broken, but we kept hoping the doctors were wrong. However, their prognosis was right on the money.
Today Jackson is eight years old, in second grade and always has a smile on his face. He has been through a lot in his short life--hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Botox shots in both legs, acupuncture, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery and ongoing physical and occupational therapy. He faces surgery on both hips in the future.
Because of Jackson's age and size, we are at the point where we can no longer lift him to transport him in our standard minivan or upstairs to his bedroom. Additionally, he will soon need to transition into a power wheelchair, which can weigh up to 350 pounds. As you might imagine, there is no way that we will be able to lift a wheelchair like that into a vehicle that isn't specially equipped. We are facing the challenge of purchasing a mobility van and a stair lift for our home with our limited finances.
Our hope is that we can raise money to help offset the substantial cost of a mobility van, which has an automatic ramp and special hydraulics that would allow us to load Jackson and his wheelchair into the vehicle without having to break our backs in the process. These vans can run between $50,000-$70,000 depending on the model.
In addition to everyday family travel, Jackson has four therapy appointments each week and, on average, at least two doctor appointments a month. Because of Jackson's busy schedule, mom Cheryl had to leave her full-time position to accommodate his schedule.
Raising a child with special needs is quite a challenge--emotionally, physically and financially. There are endless forms to fill out only to get turned down by the insurance company for basic equipment that would make life easier for Jackson. A specially equipped mobility van will make the world more accessible to Jackson. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.
Our story begins with the birth of our beautiful son Jackson. Jackson was born at 28 weeks and immediately captured our hearts. We were warned by the nurses of every problem that a preemie could face, but we were hopeful that Jackson's problems would be few. However, it soon became clear that Jackson's body could not digest breast milk or special formula. At three weeks, he suffered from NEC, short for Necrotizing Enterocolitis, which can be fatal. This is a very painful condition. He was heavily sedated and treatment started immediately. Luckily, his body responded to the treatment and he slowly improved. We thought we dodged a bullet. After two and half months at Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, we were getting ready to finally take our baby home. But first, Jackson had to have another brain scan, his third. That scan changed our lives and Jackson's life. The doctor showed us the three scans that were taken, one a day after Jackson was born, one at about 3 weeks and then the last one. The first two were normal and the last one was devastating. There was extensive brain damage that the doctor believed happened as a result of a grade 4 brain bleed that Jackson suffered when he was sick with NEC. We never knew about the brain bleed and were told that even if the doctors knew it was happening, nothing could have been done to stop it. The prognosis was that the damage would most likely result in Jackson having cerebral palsy. Our hearts were broken, but we kept hoping the doctors were wrong. However, their prognosis was right on the money.
Today Jackson is eight years old, in second grade and always has a smile on his face. He has been through a lot in his short life--hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Botox shots in both legs, acupuncture, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery and ongoing physical and occupational therapy. He faces surgery on both hips in the future.
Because of Jackson's age and size, we are at the point where we can no longer lift him to transport him in our standard minivan or upstairs to his bedroom. Additionally, he will soon need to transition into a power wheelchair, which can weigh up to 350 pounds. As you might imagine, there is no way that we will be able to lift a wheelchair like that into a vehicle that isn't specially equipped. We are facing the challenge of purchasing a mobility van and a stair lift for our home with our limited finances.
Our hope is that we can raise money to help offset the substantial cost of a mobility van, which has an automatic ramp and special hydraulics that would allow us to load Jackson and his wheelchair into the vehicle without having to break our backs in the process. These vans can run between $50,000-$70,000 depending on the model.
In addition to everyday family travel, Jackson has four therapy appointments each week and, on average, at least two doctor appointments a month. Because of Jackson's busy schedule, mom Cheryl had to leave her full-time position to accommodate his schedule.
Raising a child with special needs is quite a challenge--emotionally, physically and financially. There are endless forms to fill out only to get turned down by the insurance company for basic equipment that would make life easier for Jackson. A specially equipped mobility van will make the world more accessible to Jackson. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.
Organizer
Cheryl Jackson Paeth
Organizer
Cincinnati, OH
