Team Jackson Dinsdale

We have set up this fundraiser with charity Tree of Hope to help pay for Jackson to receive private physiotherapy, including neuromuscular electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, hippotherapy, and any other therapies that may benefit him, as well as any equipment he may need in the future.

Here is Jackson’s story:

We found out we were expecting in March 2020, and like any other couple, we were over the moon. At our first scan, everything looked great, and we discovered we were having a little boy! However, at our 20-week scan, we were informed that Jackson had spina bifida myelomeningocele and fluid on the brain (hydrocephalus).

We were told he would likely have severe bowel and bladder issues, little to no cognitive function, and would most likely be wheelchair-bound with no movement in his lower legs. At this point, we were advised to terminate the pregnancy—a devastating suggestion for us.

After consulting with specialists at the Sick Kids Children’s Hospital in Edinburgh, we decided to continue with the pregnancy, holding onto hope that Jackson could have a chance at a fulfilling childhood.

Jackson was born two weeks early via caesarean section on December 16, 2020. Just one day later, he underwent major, life-saving surgery to repair his exposed spinal cord, nerves, and membrane. Unfortunately, the operation was complicated; his heart stopped during the procedure, and he had to be resuscitated. Only four weeks later, the fluid on his brain became too much, requiring emergency brain surgery to insert a VP shunt.

Now, at one year old, Jackson is a happy and resilient child, but he faces daily challenges. He requires catheterization six times a day and takes lifelong medications to help manage his bladder function, which will need continuous monitoring throughout his life.

These are crucial years for Jackson as his muscles grow and his brain develops. Despite his tough start in life, Jackson continues to fight through his condition every day, and we are determined to give him the best chance to thrive.

The NHS doctors and specialists involved in Jackson’s care have been incredible, and we are eternally grateful to them—he wouldn’t be here without their support. However, the NHS cannot provide all the physiotherapy and treatments he needs to fully reach his potential.

Through private therapies, we hope to give Jackson the best possible chance to improve his quality of life. We deeply appreciate any donation, no matter how small, to help give Jackson the opportunities he deserves.

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, then the funds will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objects. If in those circumstances we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objects, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.