Jai Patrick Deguet

My name is Casey Kelland and I am the part owner of Blessed Hair Lounge along with my mum Karen. We are in desperate need of some help for one of our clients who has been placed in the most horrific position of losing her beautiful son Jai unexpectedly and trying to give him the send off he deserves and then trying to get back on their feet as a family. People have been asking if there is a fund to donate to, to assist with costs. Even if people can donate just $1 it would help enormously. If this is not possible, the family do completely understand because we all know how tight living is atm. So even sending a prayer to the family instead would bring great comfort.

Please read the below post from his loving mum Sarah on the devastating loss of her bright bubbly boy Jai. Jai is the son of Sarah and Neville and stepson of Bruce and Tessa. Loving brother to Yvette and Jesse.

It is with deep sorrow and extreme regret that we announce the passing of our gorgeous son and brother Jai. Last Friday afternoon, Jai unexpectedly suffered a cardiac event related to unknown, pre-existing birth condition in his heart. He was taken to the Mackay Base Hospital and transferred to the Royal Childrens Hospital by the Royal Flying Doctors Service. Jai was placed in the childrens ICU where they stabilized and monitored him. He was given neurological protection care. Unfortunately he had suffered severe brain damage during the event which he was unable to overcome.

Once this was known we decided that Jai would become an organ donor. Today he underwent donor surgery and has now passed. They estimate that his gift will immediately save a minimum of six lives and they had recipients ready to receive the life saving gifts. Other donations Jai gave will save more lives in the future.

The care level of staff from the Queensland Ambulance Service, Royal Flying Doctors Service, Mackay Base Hospital and the Royal Childrens Hospital was above and beyond anything we could have asked for Jai. He received life saving effort from all, 24 hour monitoring and care, specialist teams communicating every development, social work support and we received accommodation at the Ronald McDonald house to be a floor away from him.

He is the light in our lives. He has the most beautifully unique and loving heart, infectious laugh, comedic timing, disarming smile, strategic mind, kind eyes and the warmest hugs you’ve ever had. Jai made us want and need him around. He loved everyone, everyone loved him and he knew it.

There’s so much more we could say about him, but for now our hearts are broken for him and us. We are shattered, but luckily we lived a purposeful life with him and adventured often.

Jai is now at peace. We hope to see him in everything around us and carry him with us always. We love you deeply now and forever. Xo

Mum, Bruce, Yvette and Jesse

I was lucky enough that 14 yr. old Jai and his mum have not only been clients of our salon, but also became like family. Jai was the light of the salon as soon as he entered. From the start he felt at home and safe in the salon and was able to express his true self. Sarah dedicated her life to study and sourced every corner to help her boys and also touched my heart by helping me through my very own, as well as my sons diagnosis. She continued to send study documents and give me tips and hints on how to handle things. She is one special lady so I really need your help please. Jai and his stepbrother Jesse had diagnosis ranging from autism, ADHD, dyslexia, slow processing, low working memory and Irlen syndrome. Regardless Jai loved school, his friends and teachers and kept increasing his skills, especially in the last few years.

I don’t normally ask for help but this one has hit me like a ton of bricks. As you can imagine with Sarah and her partner just recently purchasing a family home where they were hoping to raise and continue their life as a blended family, this has come at a devastating cost. Along with the massive medical bills when he was flown to Brisbane on life support, loss of wages and now the enormous cost of giving Jai a beautiful funeral.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for any help you are able to give.