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Jack's Journey

  • Update on Jack

      11 October 2026

    Jack recently had another hearing test he's at the level where they want him to be, which is wonderful! Sammy and Joel got to see the brain activity from different sounds and he can hear more than they expected, which is obviously such a relief.

    He had a strange rash all over his body for the last few days, so he spent another day in ED to ensure it was all right. Apparently, it was just a virus and they have been watching it closely. On Monday, Jack has another CT scan to check his brain fluid collection to ensure that it's stable. They will also find out if he can stop the IV antibiotics soon, which Sammy said that it will be so nice once he's able to get his pic line out! Jack is still sore at night but hopefully that will continue to improve as time goes on. It's still early days but Sammy and Joel are so proud of him <3

    Again, they are so grateful for everyone! Please keep up the good vibes, thoughts and prayers that things continue to progress this way.

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  • UPDATE- Sep 30th

      30 September 2026
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    Kia ora koutou, Hello everyone!

    Thank you to everyone for your support, love, kind words, donations and sharing, it has been a massive help for Sammy, Joel, Jack and Alice. The Kennedy's have had a massive couple of weeks, but they are so incredibly grateful for you all.

    I wanted to update everyone on little Jack:

    His cochlear implants have been activated on both sides! He's not too sure about them yet, but over time he will learn to recognize and understand those around him. It's important to say that the implants do not restore hearing, but it does give him "access to sound". The biggest battle will be keeping them on as before this, he wouldn't even tolerate a sunhat!

    They have been discharged from the hospital so now they begin the journey home and what will be their new normal. They are so excited to be together as a family unit again, while knowing that there is still so much to process and unpack. It's been a very hard time AND they are grateful for the 'wins'. As said before, there is still a long journey ahead adjusting to a different way of life for young Jack and a lot of unknowns; but for now, there is a bit of sunshine after the rain <3

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  • BIG DAY, BIG NEWS

      25 September 2026
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    Yesterday was a huge day for Jack. He spent the day at St. George's hospital undergoing surgery to receive bilateral cochlear implants, and the family is so relieved to share that both were successfully implanted!

    During surgery, the team tested the implants and received positive responses from each side. They've been told that these responses may still continue to improve as Jack heals. Most importantly, the surgeon believes the responses they achieved should be enough to give Jack access to the sound needed for speech and language development. <3

    There's still a long road ahead with recovery, activation, and rehabilitation and they won't know what exactly Jack will be able to hear until we move through that process. However, after so much uncertainty about everything, yesterday's results were incredibly encouraging.

    From Sammy and Joel: "We are SO grateful to the incredible teams who made this happen so quickly, and to everyone who has supported Jack and our family through what has been an overwhelming couple of weeks. We are feeling the love, thoughts, vibes and prayers."

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  • Update sep 24th

      24 September 2026

    Yesterday, Sammy and Joel were given the news that Jack is completely deaf. Following this, Jack had to undergo a blood transfusion in high care. They were then told that the MRI picked up an abnormality in his brain as a result of the meningitis. Jack is currently on top of the list for emergency cochlea implant surgery at St. George's with the only surgeon in the South Island that can perform the particular procedure. Sammy and Joel have put their faith in the surgery and can only hope that things go as well as they can.

    Everyone please send thoughts, energy, prayers for the best case scenario for little Jack and continue to share the page <3

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