Eddie Russell
A Melton family is seeking the help of the community to raise $70,000 to buy a wheelchair accessible van for their son.
Jackson Brown is a four-year-old with epilepsy and an X-linked intellectual disability – a rare genetic disorder that affects 12 people in Australia.
It means he needs full assistance with all aspects of personal care, from bathing and dressing to moving around.
His parents, Chris and Kate Brown, as well as uncle Shaun Carr, want to purchase a specially modified van that would allow Jackson to be wheeled in rather than lifted in.
Easing the physical strain will make a world of difference to the family, said Ms Brown.
“Trying to get Jackson in and out of my car and use the wheelchair is not fun on my back,” she said.
“It means that we aren’t trying to lift him in and out… and my parents or sister can help me look after him a lot easier as well.”
It will also make mobility significantly more achievable for both Jackson and his parents, allowing them to move around the community more freely and safely.
“He’s going to have that much more engagement with the community because of this van because he’s not just reliant on me,” said Ms Brown.
On top of having to get to regular appointments at the Royal Children’s Hospital, commuting 30 minutes each way to school next year will place extra strain on the Browns.
Donate: gofund.me/9b5a7583
