Parents' delight at Jordon's recovery
THE parents of a little boy who doctors thought would never eat or drink has defied all odds with the help of Press Relief, the News charity fund.Jordon Smith was born by emergency caesarean and spent his first three months fighting for survival in intensive care. When he was finally allowed to go home, doctors told his parents Xin, 39, and Paul, 49, their son would never be able to drink or eat and would have to be nourished through a tube to his stomach.
Mother Xin said: "We were devastated. We knew early on Jordon had severe cerebral palsy but we were very upset to hear he would have to feed through a tube for the rest of his life."
Jordon, two, suffers from severe cerebral palsy which affects all four of his limbs so he is unable to move or stand and causes him to sleep badly due to reflexes.
His mother had to give up her research in the Department of Surgery at Cambridge University to look after him - and needs help from a carer so she can sleep.
But now Jordon, of Foster Road, Cambridge, is able to eat and drink from a cup and enjoy special exercises - thanks to therapy from national charity Brainwave and a £2,000 donation from Press Relief - the News charitable fund.
Xin said: "When Jordon was younger he would cry a lot and was very irritable, but now he laughs and is very happy. Many of Jordon's special needs are not provided for through the NHS or social services.
"With the help of Brainwave and a local therapist his ability to feed and breathe are much better and he is very calm and alert."
The charity provides therapy for children with developmental delay, caused by cerebral palsy, genetic disorder or brain injury. Families are given a home-based programme of exercises, prescribed after assessing each child at the charity's centre in Somerset.
Jordon spent two days at the centre in January 2005 when exercises were taught to his parents. At his first reassessment on September 5, physiotherapists reported measurable progress in vision, hearing comprehension, speech, hand function and socialisation.
Xin said: "We are very grateful to the News. Brainwave has given Jordon a brighter future."
Barbara Seymour, from Brainwave, said: "Jordon is a delightful little boy and it's so good to see the progress he's been making since coming to Brainwave.