€10,000 target for Jack Downes Appeal

UNTIL early August Jack Downes was a normal, happy 14-year-old teenager who enjoyed life at home, school and being with his friends. He was an excellent swimmer and played soccer for Moneypoint AFC.

 

Jack has been an insulin-dependent diabetic since he was two-years-old but that never held him back, as his condition was under control and was just part of his everyday life.

Nobody would have envisaged that come November a huge appeal, seeking to raise €10,000 to help with Jack’s treatment and rehabilitation, would be in full flow. He has been diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, which has left him currently using a wheelchair and receiving intense medication.

Jack was getting ready to start his Junior Cert year, when, on Sunday, August 5, everything changed rapidly. He was upstairs at home in Kilrush playing on his Xbox when he suddenly got pains in both his legs that rapidly went to his lower back.

His mother, Patricia, explained, “He screamed as the pain was so intense. As he normally attended Galway University Hospital, he was brought there immediately and by the time he reached A&E, Jack had lost complete power of his lower limbs.

“Doctors did all the tests and scans that could possibly be done but they still remained baffled. Through the night, his condition worsened with severe back pain and total loss of bladder and bowel control.”

The following day he was transferred by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, where he underwent gruelling tests and several MRI scans. The MRI finally showed the problem, which was severe inflammation of the anterior thoracic spinal cord, which caused sudden acute paraplegia and is known as Transverse Myelitis. Jack underwent several treatments including high-dose steroids intravenously, blood plasma exchange, several lumbar punctures and IVIG, all of which failed to show an improvement.

He remained in the high dependency unit for three weeks in Beaumont, until he was transferred back to Galway on August 28. Under the care of neurologist Dr Tim Counihan and a paediatric team, the next step was a high-dose methotrexate treatment, which can only be administered in Crumlin Hospital’s cancer unit, as methotrexate is a chemo drug but is also used to kill inflammatory cells.

Jack underwent this treatment, which was administered through a central line in his neck and suffered chemo side-effects afterwards for 10 days.

Jack may have to have further methotrexate doses and also awaits his place in the National Rehabilitation Unit in Dún Laoghaire, which is expected this month.

At this point, doctors cannot say what sort of recovery Jack will make as Transverse Myelitis is rare, affects people in different ways and the cause remains unknown.

Jack was 15 in September. Even though his lower limbs don’t work and he is catheterised and remains in a wheelchair, he is still a happy optimistic boy, who is determined to beat the condition.

It is a long road ahead but with the public’s help, Jack’s chances of recovery will be greatly enhanced.
Several fundraising events are planned in Kilrush in the coming weeks to help the Jack Downes Appeal.
A day-long coffee morning will be held in Kilrush Youth Centre on Saturday from 10am to 5pm, while a cake sale is planned for Sunday, November 25 after 10am and 12noon masses. The cake sale will be held in Kilrush Community Centre.

Numerous events are also planned for December, including a table quiz in the Haven Arms on Thursday, December 6, a sponsored cycle from Kilrush Square at 10.30am on St Stephen’s Day and a tractor run from Monmore Church on Sunday, December 30.

However, the highlight of the upcoming fundraisers will be a gala night at Kilrush Golf Club on Saturday, December 29 from 9.30pm. For further information on the Jack Downes Appeal and for a fundraiser pack, contact 087 7981490 or 086 3742021.