Baby Jax is back home
But infant born with breathing problems still has long road ahead
After a strenuous journey, Baby Jax, a resilient eight-month-old who captured hearts following a STAR story in December, has finally returned home.
His mother, Sonishea McKenziePinto, shared the latest developments in the courageous battle for his recovery.
“Jax just turned eight months old on April 27th,” she beamed, her voice ringing with pride and relief. “It’s been quite a journey, but we’re grateful he’s home with us now.” Jax was unresponsive at birth and struggling to breathe but January 24 was a happy day for the family. That’s when Jax was discharged from the hospital, breathing on his own after spending more than 60 days in critical care battling hypoxia, low levels of oxygen in the tissues.
However, the road ahead is not without its challenges. The hypoxia caused an injury to the infant’s brain, and because of that, there are aspects of his development that require special attention.
“He’s not sitting up without support, he’s not following objects with his eyes all the way, he’s not moving his limbs as much as he was before, and because of those things, he is not crawling. But he’s rolled over a few times recently,” McKenzie-Pinto said. Despite that, the family is overjoyed to have him home.
“God kept His word and that I knew I could fully lean on Him and on His promises. I was kinda anxious as well. What would life be like for him (Jax), or us now? How could I get my baby the help he needs? What do I do next?” she said.
“After his last neurological evaluation at the Bustamante Hospital [for Children], I was implored to seek assistance abroad as the extent of the injury is severe and Jamaica is limited in the amount of resources available
to efficiently assist my son,” she said. The recommended treatment is hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurised environment. McKenziePinto opened up about the struggles they faced in trying to access the treatment.
“I didn’t get the travel documents back until mid-March, and it’s been a roller-coaster,” she said. McKenziePinto said that there are just a few documents to renew, and as soon as the family raises the necessary
funds, they can travel to Cuba, where an institution is willing to offer the treatment. But the family needs US$35,000 (approximately J$5.4 million).
Despite financial strains, the family remains resilient. McKenzie-Pinto has taken time off work to care for Jax, while her husband, Gwayne Pinto, continues to work.
“We’ve been giving him his medications and feeding him,” she shared. “We’ve also been researching different therapies to help him,
particularly occupational and physical therapies.”
As Baby Jax begins this new chapter at home, his family remains hopeful and steadfast in their commitment to his recovery. With the support of their community, they are determined to give him the best possible chance at a bright and independent future.
Anyone who is willing to help can call Soniesha McKenziePinto at 876-790-8867, donate to the GoFundMe account at https://gofund.me/92f23afd , or donate to accounts: NCB, Half-Way Tree Branch, Account No: 305432334 in the name of Sonishea McKenzie-Pinto, or Scotiabank, UWI Branch (18465), Account No: 000413699 in the name Gwayne Pinto.