Jacko’s Journey 2022

Product Description

Australia

Supporters

Can you help Jack’s family raise $180K by September this year to change his future? We appreciate every last cent we receive – thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

**We have recently changed the Jacko’s Journey Chuffed campaign page to reflect the total amount of money Jack’s family is raising, including the following: surgery, equipment, pre and post therapy costs for 12 months, associated costs for the six weeks that Jack’s family need to be in the US for Jack’s surgery plus intensive rehab.

Any donations we receive from events and raffles we run, will be added here, to reflect the current tally. All events will be advertised on the Jacko’s Journey socials (see below) Thank you all for your support!**

Follow Jack’s journey from newborn through to 8-years old, as he prepares for surgery this year:

Facebook – Jacko’s Journey 2022

Instagram – Jacko’s Journey 2022

–

Jack (Jacko for ‘short’) is not your typical Aussie kid.

Of course, like many 8-yr old boys he loves running, jumping, climbing trees and playing soccer and footy but there is one big difference.

Jack has Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a physical disability caused by a brain injury during pregnancy, birth, or shortly after birth. It affects movement, coordination, muscle tone and control, reflexes, posture, and balance. In Australia, 1 in 700 children are affected by Cerebral Palsy (CP) and it is the most common childhood disability worldwide. It is a lifelong disability that cannot be cured.

Jack’s cerebral palsy means he is in pain daily and he struggles to do any of the activities he loves without the aid of a support person or equipment. Walking and running are hard work, carrying a school bag isn’t possible without holding someone’s hand for balance (which feels embarrassing for an 8-yr old), keeping up with school activities in the classroom, even writing his name are all things that require a super-hero effort and result in a huge amount of fatigue. Communicating is frustrating and forming friendships is tricky.

All of these challenges get harder and harder each year and are slowly chipping away at Jack’s confidence.

This year, though, is Jack’s year.

In September, Jack and his family will be heading to St Louis, Missouri, USA where he will undergo one of the most advanced surgeries in the world: Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR). SDR will significantly reduce the pain he suffers and allow him to walk, run, play soccer, keep up in class and make friends more easily. Ultimately, building his confidence and the ability to choose what he wants to do in life.

SDR surgery involves making a small incision in the middle of Jack’s back and exposing the nerve fibres which sit close to the spinal cord. The nerve fibres send messages to and from our muscles telling them to move our toes, feet, ankles, legs etc. so that we can walk, run and jump etc.

Each of the nerve fibres are then tested for spasticity (which is what stops Jack from walking and running etc. easily). The fibres with high levels of spasticity are permanently cut, allowing any healthy nerve fibres, to take over and grow strong.

This incredible surgery and Jack’s time in the US with his family plus all pre and post surgery costs will cost more than $180K.

The rewards though, are great because SDR will allow Jack to do the ordinary things that many of us take for granted – being able to push a trolley around the supermarket, climbing the stairs at the footy oval easily, having a great group of mates, getting a good job and having a family.

After all, who wouldn’t want that for their kid?

Cate Mayer

2 years ago

$100

Scott Jem Tahli Maya

2 years ago

$300

Lisa Jones

2 years ago

$100

Rob Curnow

2 years ago

$5000

Jo Bangles

2 years ago

$200

Online Auction

2 years ago

– Offline donation

$7865

Lisa Neumann

3 years ago

$150

Anonymous

3 years ago

$20

Anonymous

3 years ago

$50

Melinda Neoh

3 years ago

$200

Liz Anderson

3 years ago

$125

Amelia, Rosie, Ben & Nicolas Cardillo

3 years ago

$200

Anonymous

3 years ago

$200

JANET GALLEHAWK

3 years ago

$150

Anonymous

3 years ago

$40

Niamh Mannion

3 years ago

$40

Nathan Toll

3 years ago

$500

Susan Fairley

3 years ago

$24

Stan Cash

3 years ago

$75

MARIKO ISE

3 years ago

$150

Skye Kennett

THANK YOU SO MUCH… …for your kind donation to help Jack walk more independently and have a brighter future. We have returned from our 6 week stint in the US and Jack’s surgery was successful! Going forward, it will take many months and years of exercise and strengthening for Jack to be able to build up lots of healthy muscle but we have already noticed positive changes. Here are just a few… Jack says ‘My legs feel amazing! They feel soft.’ Jack has NO MORE PAIN or discomfort (this is a big one!) Jack has no stiffness in his legs Jack can walk without turning his right foot in so much (and this will improve with lots of hip strengthening exercises) Jack has more energy! Without SDR surgery, no matter how much Jack exercised, he would never be able to build healthy muscle. The spasticity in his body would prevent him from doing so. Your donation has changed Jack’s life and for that we are truly thankful. Thank you. Skye (Jack’s Mum)

THANK YOU SO MUCH…

…for your kind donation to help Jack walk more independently and have a brighter future. We have returned from our 6 week stint in the US and Jack’s surgery was successful!

Going forward, it will take many months and years of exercise and strengthening for Jack to be able to build up lots of healthy muscle but we have already noticed positive changes. Here are just a few…

Without SDR surgery, no matter how much Jack exercised, he would never be able to build healthy muscle. The spasticity in his body would prevent him from doing so.

Your donation has changed Jack’s life and for that we are truly thankful.

Thank you.

Skye (Jack’s Mum)

2 years ago

Scott Jem Tahli Maya

You did it, you’re on your way! We love you guys & we are with you all the way ❤️

2 years ago

Anonymous

Good luck Jacko from everyone at Fosterville Gold Mine

3 years ago

Skye Kennett

Thanks Fosterville mine! You guys are absolute legends!

3 years ago

Alessandra Forero

All the best Jack from Jordan and family x

3 years ago

Skye Kennett

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far. It is HUGELY appreciated and we are so close to reaching our goal. It is all starting to become a reality!

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far. It is HUGELY appreciated and we are so close to reaching our goal. It is all starting to become a reality!

3 years ago

Heather Mooney

All the best of luck to you Jack…

3 years ago

Julie Peel

Thank you Heather and Neil for your generous donation

3 years ago

Todd Holderhead

Go get’em Jacko

3 years ago

Skye Kennett