On November 14, 2009 Jackson, our oldest son, woke up and had completely lost all gross and fine motor skills. We thought maybe he had suffered a stroke while asleep. Terrified, we rushed him to the nearest hospital in our town where test after test was ran with no answers revealed. Finally, after hours in the emergency room we were sent home. Still with no answers. Our 3-year-old baby went to bed the night before healthy and strong and woke up sick and unable to walk, talk, or move any parts of his body. We called our pediatrician and begged for him to get us into the best hospital to help us find an answer. He called back 5 minutes later and told us to go immediately to Children’s Hospital.
We spent days with doctors and nurses answering questions and doing rounds of tests as they were determined to find us the answers we deserved. Jackson’s case was rare and nothing they had seen before. Finally, a diagnosis was confirmed, and a game plan was put into motion to get our boy back healthy and strong, just as he was before. Jackson had contracted a viral immune mediated disease of the brain. This disease involves autoimmune demyelination, a process that erodes away the myelin sheath that normally protects nerve fibers in your brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. When the myelin sheath is damaged, nerve impulses slow or even stop, causing major neurological problems. The incident rate is about 8 per 1,000,000 people per year. We were told the chance of a full recovery was possible, but that Jackson would likely have some minor residual disabilities. Jackson would need every type of therapy possible, and it could be up to 6 months to reach a full recovery. But these incredible doctors assured us they were with us every step of the way. A new hope was found, and a light was at the end of the tunnel because of these amazing doctors at Children’s Hospital.
Today Jackson is a healthy and thriving 13-year-old boy enjoying his middle school days with minor challenges that by most people, simply go unnoticed. While Jackson’s story is one of great success, many are not. Some families spend days or even months at Children’s Hospital with trials far greater than we could ever imagine. Those families need your help. It is because of people like you, and many others who donate, that there is a hospital that provides excellent care for our children. There is no gift too big or too small that won’t help make a difference in the lives of these children. They deserve the very best care we can give them. And they need our help!
I'm fundraising for Children's Hospital Foundation through their signature event, Dancing for a Miracle on August 17th, which is a spin-off of Dancing with the Stars! Click on the "Donate Now" button to help me become the 2019 Dancing for a Miracle Star!
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Thank you for helping Oklahoma's sick and injured children! 100% of the funds raised will stay in Oklahoma to help our kids right here at home.
