On the 17.03.2022 my amazing nephew and niece Aidan and Paige welcomed their beautiful baby boy Jax Walker Griffs.

He became the youngest brother of a blended family of 5 boys. Jax instantly stole his older brothers hearts - Ashton, Deegan, Zavier and Heath. It was love at first sight.

Jax was such a happy and easy going baby who completed his family, he brought unconditional love and happiness to everyone.

On the 29.03.22 when Jax was only 10 days old, this young family's life was turned upside down and it would be the start of a forever changed life for them all.

Jax woke up that morning extremely unsettled and crying in pain. Paige recognised Jax’s unease straight away and took him directly to Goulburn Valley Hospital in Shepparton (a 40 minute drive from their home in Strathmerton).

Upon admission Jax’s condition rapidly declined.

Jax had a bacterial infection which then traveled through his blood stream and reached his brain causing meningitis. The severity of the infection caused Jax to start having seizures and he was struggling to breathe. Jax was promptly airlifted to Royal Childrens Hospital where he was heavily sedated and had a breathing tube placed down his throat, feeding tube, ECG scanner, two cannulas and a catheter positioned to give his little body the best chance to fight this infection. Jax had an MRI scan to see the extent of the meningitis. The results of this scan will forever leave an impact on this family. Jax sustained severe swelling, blood clots and scars on multiple parts of his brain.

On 01.04.22 Aidan and Paige had a meeting with the medical team that had been treating Jax. The medical team explained to them what sort of future Jax would have should he be able to beat the infection. Due to how much damage had been done, the Dr’s were very concerned that when they took the breathing tube out that Jax may not be able to breath on his own. If that was the case then Aidan and Paige would have to make a decision no parent should ever have to make and that would be possibly to say goodbye to their son.

Since this discussion and the process of removing the breathing tubes, Jax has surpassed any preconceived any ideas that the Dr’s thought possible. Jax is fighting this infection! He is no where out of the woodworks as of yet due to the severe damage caused. Jax will have brain damage and disabilities to what extent is not yet fully known.

To worsen this already devastating situation this weekend gone, Aidan and Paige’s family home was broken into in their absence. Money, jewellery and personal effects etc all gone and their home trashed!

Aidan, Paige, Ashton, Deegan, Xavier, Heath and Jax’s world has been turned upside down in the last 3 weeks.

Aidan and Paige, as parents, have shown true resilience, perseverance, positivity and strength. Their five boys are truely blessed to have them as parents.

The medical costs which they face for Jax at this stage are unknown. There will be bills to pay that are just unforeseen. This family has a long road ahead of them and anything we can do to support them financially would assist Jax’s recovery.

‘A problem shared is a problem halved’