For one family, what was supposed to be a wonderful vacation devolved into an unthinkable tragedy. They are currently grieving the tragic death of 4-year-old Jaxon Knowles and are using their suffering to share a crucial message.
In an attempt to make priceless memories with their kid, Jaxon’s mother, Sammy Knowles, and her husband, Jordan, had taken him on a quick trip to Blackpool. However, on Sunday, February 16, when the family got home, a terrible incident happened. After complaining of pain behind his arm, Jaxon dozed off for a bit. He claimed that his stomach ached when he woke up. His mother recalled the incident and added that since he had previously had chest infections, she had given him a small amount of paracetamol to lower his fever in the hopes that he would heal similarly to how he had in the past.
Later that evening, Jaxon, who often begged to sleep in his mother’s bed when he wasn’t feeling well, did just that. It appeared to be a mild ailment at best. However, Sammy noticed something concerning right away when she checked Jaxon’s temperature using her phone’s flashlight when she woke up at around five in the morning. When she switched on the lamp, she saw that the rash covering his body was considerably worse than what she had initially assumed to be chickenpox.
Jaxon’s health quickly declined. He started vomiting as his tongue and mouth grew larger. His parents had to turn him on his side since his breathing got difficult. They dialed 911 in a panic and waited impotently for an ambulance to come. Sammy recalls how the time until they arrived seemed to drag on forever.
Jaxon was in critical condition when he arrived at the hospital. He was surrounded by a group of fifteen medical professionals who were doing everything they could to save his life. Despite his best efforts to stay hopeful, Sammy sang his favorite lullabies before the medical staff informed her that he needed to be placed in a coma and taken to a children’s hospital. Jaxon’s heart stopped in spite of their best efforts. On the morning of Monday, February 17, he tragically died after being temporarily revived by doctors.
It left the family stunned. Jaxon had been his normal, content self just hours before, with no indications of a major illness. Meningococcal illness, a fatal type of bacterial meningitis that mainly affects young children, was eventually determined to be the cause of his death. Still reeling from the loss, Sammy called Jaxon their “miracle baby.” He had been their final hope following three tragic miscarriages, seven years of trying to conceive, and several rounds of IVF.
In an effort to spare other families from going through the same suffering, Jaxon’s distraught parents are now resolved to utilize their loss to spread knowledge about meningitis. They want people to understand how rapidly and without much notice this cancer may strike. It might be challenging to identify early symptoms because they frequently mimic those of common illnesses like the flu. Fever and headaches may be the first symptoms, but as the infection progresses, other symptoms like stiff neck, light sensitivity, confusion, and seizures may appear. In extreme situations, it may cause a coma or even death in a matter of hours.
About 3,000 Americans—roughly one in every 100,000—are afflicted with bacterial meningitis each year. Up to 10% of cases are fatal despite advancements in medicine. Since infants and small children are the most at risk, the Knowles family is hopeful that more can be done to stop these terrible deaths with greater funding and awareness.
A charity website has been established in Jaxon’s memory, and all contributions will be donated to Meningitis Now, a group that supports families impacted by the illness. Jordan, his father, said they hoped that such incidents could be avoided with increased money and research.
Additionally, Jaxon’s passion for the Sheffield Wednesday football team will be recognized. In a heartfelt remembrance of the young child whose life was snatched far too soon, supporters will join in a four-minute round of applause during their next game against Sunderland.
Sammy and Jordan are still dealing with the tremendous vacuum left by Jaxon’s disappearance as they grieve. “To us, he was everything,” adds Sammy. There’s nothing but emptiness now. Our home is deserted. There is nothing in our world. We don’t have anything. Their advice to other parents is unambiguous: be mindful of meningitis, follow your gut, and get medical attention right away if something feels off. They believe they can save lives by telling Jaxon’s tale.