Jude’s Journey
Jude’s Journey.
As most of you are aware, 3 weeks ago our nephew/Grandson/Son Jude suddenly lost the use of both his legs and hands due to inflammation on his spinal cord.
He was transferred straight away to Great Ormond Street, due the complex nature of his condition and to gain the expertise of the medical staff there. When Jude first arrived at GOSH they were hopeful the loss of his hands and legs would be temporary ...but sadly gave us the news we desperately did not want to hear, last weekend. The Drs advised us that it is now highly unlikely that Jude will ever fully recover from this and at present, believe that he will never walk again. They also feel that he will not get any significant improvement in the use of his hands, due to evidence of nerve damage. He will complete his medical treatment at GOSH this week and will then be transferred to the Spinal Injury Unit at Stanmore for rehab in order to help him learn to live with his new level of disability.
As you can imagine, as a family we are absolutely devastated and in shock at this news. For those of you who know Jude- you will know he is the most active, energetic, funny & most loving 15 yr old you could ever wish to meet.
Jude doesn’t usually sit still for a minute and is often out socially with his friends and making the most of every day. He was also due to start an apprenticeship this coming September, so you can you only imagine how absolutely heartbreaking it is for him to now be told he will likely spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, along with the use of his hands being taken away too, at just 15 years of age.
I decided to start this page on behalf of him, my sister and her other two boys.
As a family they have been through so much. My sister lost her husband & the boys lost their dad very suddenly when he had a massive heart attack riding home from work, one day. He was only 36.
I don’t say this for a sympathy plea but to explain that their life has been anything but easy! Yet my sister has managed to work tirelessly financially and otherwise to ensure the boys have had everything they need.
As a single mother she has faced some very tough days and challenges but I think this may be one of her greatest yet; having been advised by the hospital of everything Jude will need when he returns home. I.e. From building a new room suitable for his needs, to a stairlift, wheelchair, aids for his hands and legs, a hospital bed etc ……. The list goes on.
Along with our help, we have decided to reach out and try to get her, Jude & the boys as much financial help as possible. We have had so many of you kindly ask what you can do to help. So in response to that, we are asking if you can share this far and wide & if you are also in a position to donate whatever you can. No amount is too small and we are so grateful to you all already for the support we have received.
Thank-you in advance a million times over. X