Volume 16, Shirt 7: "Hero Ball"

Jackson was born at 24 weeks and 1 day and required multitudes of significant medical intervention to overcome extremely slim odds of survival. He has been a fighter since the day he was born. Jacks spent the first 4 months of his life in the NICU, but was fortunate to go home near his due date with only the need for supplemental oxygen after being told that he would never breathe, walk, talk, or eat on his own.

Due to his premature birth, he lives with cerebral palsy and low-pressure hydrocephalus which has been managed with a VP shunt (a tube that goes from his brain to his belly to drain spinal fluid so that it doesn't collect in his brain).

In May of this year, he suddenly developed extreme abdominal pain and uncontrolled vomiting. He was admitted to the PICU with a bowel obstruction (from scar tissue that had developed following abdominal surgery for a spontaneous bowel perforation shortly after his birth, that led to a colostomy, and later a re-anastomosis (reversal of the colostomy)). 11 years later, Jackson now required an open laparotomy for surgical repair of the bowel obstruction. Unfortunately, with the trauma to his body caused by the bowel obstruction, his shunt failed, and fluid began to collect in his brain, making his ventricles to enlarge, causing significant neurological problems. Jackson nearly died as his medical team worked to get his brain working in a healthy state. He required an external drain as he waited for his brain to heal enough in order to be able to replace the shunt. Jackson required 11 major brain surgeries and overcame 2 infections of his CSF. He was hospitalized in the PICU for a total of 4 months.

During this time, his mom was unable to work as she remained by his side, staying with him day and night, working with the medical team to get Jackson home. Uncovered medical expenses, lost wages, and the purchase of an electric bed that could accommodate Jackson's need to sleep elevated when he was finally able to return home has placed unavoidable financial burden. Jackson is home and returning to his previous active life but continues to need frequent follow-up MRIs, specialists' appointments, and will require a lifetime of increased medical care.

Funds raised through sales of this design will help support Jackson and his family.

The West Herr Auto Group is a proud partner of 26 Shirts, and the largest automotive dealer in New York. With 40 dealerships, 10 collision shops, 3 auto glass facilities, and an amazing team of over 3,000 hardworking Western New Yorkers, they can help you with all of your automotive needs.