Main fundraiser photo

Jack Siddall-TheBoyWhoBreathedAgain

Two weeks after his first birthday, on Monday, March 26th, Rena and Matt, who are living in in Germany, took Jack to the hospital due to his recent respiratory issues. Shortly after being admitted, due to complications with RSV and a paraflu, Jack went into respiratory and cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated. He was then moved into the ICU in Dresden, Germany and placed on a ventilator in an induced coma in order to heal.
Jack had an MRI done which showed some brain damage to his basal ganglia- which suggests that he may have a number of deficits he will have to overcome- mostly motor related but he will need a wide range of therapies in the short term. This sweet boy is having to learn how to do everything again. Eating, drinking, talking, reaching, grasping, rolling over, playing, crawling, standing, walking. Initially he couldn’t even hold his head up. Matt and Rena have called him “newborn Jack” during this period. Jack spent 12 long days in the ICU and once he was taken out of his coma, he was transferred to an intensive rehab facility 25 minutes away. Rena and Matt have been at Jack’s bedside since day one, but due to lack of space only one of them can sleep at the facility at a time to be close to Jack.
The Little Lion Heart has been BUSY and this determined little boy has been making small steps toward recovery every day. The doctors have been positive about Jack’s progress so far but have stressed the importance of them being around family and friends and the positive impact that will have in his recovery.
Matt and Rena are from Vancouver, Canada but have been living in Germany where Matt was currently playing Professional Hockey. The family was initially scheduled to come home in April but have remained in Germany until Jack is in a position to travel. The goal is to come home around June, but they will be returning to uncertainty regarding medical coverage for Jack’s therapies, long waitlists for intensive rehab and ultimately what is likely an expensive road ahead. Matt and Rena will need to be around Jack throughout his rehabilitation as much as possible once they return, this will in turn be leaving the family in a tough position to make ends meet and support costly treatments and rehabilitation.
Anything you are able to contribute will be so helpful to the family and to Jack’ recovery. Let's help Jack get the very best care we can!!

“Wait for a time, exactly under a star. Then, if a little man appears who laughs, who has golden hair, and who refuses to answer questions, you will know who he is. If this should happen, please comfort me. Send me word that he has come back.”
- The Little Prince

All updates about Jack’s recovery can now be found on their blog:

https://theboywhobreathedagain.com

You can choose to follow by adding your email at the bottom of the site and you will receive an email with each post or simply check in with the blog whenever you feel like you need a little more Jack in your life. 




Donate

Donations 

  • John and Krista Wilson Family
    • $100 
    • 5 yrs
Donate

Organizer and beneficiary

Shelagh Phelan
Organizer
North Vancouver, BC
Rena Siddall
Beneficiary

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.