Josh's Journey

On the 23rd of October 2015 13 year old Josh O'Connell was admitted to Palmerston North hospital with an infection in his leg that was causing him intense pain and high temperatures. Josh, who is also autistic, has been an incredibly brave and strong boy during this time as the Drs have tried many different medications and approaches to try and clear this nasty infection.

On the 7th of November his mum Nicola wrote "Day 15 in hospital. Josh has had 5 general anesthetics, 3 surgeries, 2 mri's, literally hundreds of syringes of meds pushed into his veins, 3 room changes, a ton of blood tests, an ecg and heart echo, 12 different roommates, a lot of extra Drs with second opinions, many cans of sprite, and 6 hourly medication"

Josh has spent 80 more days receiving treatment since then so I would hate to think what he has been through now!

Just before Christmas it was decided that Josh would spend 6 weeks in traction to try and clear the infection which has meant that his entire summer holidays, xmas new year etc, has been spent immobile in a hospital bed. While we were all out enjoying the sun, spending time with friends and family etc Josh and his family have been rocking life in a hospital room. Nicola, Josh's mum, asked friends to collect photos and brochures etc from their holidays so they could put them onto a 'vision board' to show Josh to lift his spirits and then he could start planning a holiday for when he recovers.

They were hoping that after the 6 weeks in traction they would be starting to plan that holiday and be thinking about getting their boy home but unfortunately a few days ago his family received some crappy news that the infection has taken over the ball joint in Josh's hip. The bacteria has cut off the blood supply to the bone and has done a lot of damage, it has gone through his growth plate (this means it can no longer repair itself as he grows and will require intervention).

What we would love to achieve for these guys is to generate enough donations so that when Josh is finally home he and his family can go on that wicked once in a lifetime family holiday that they all deserve so much!

On the 26th of Janurary Josh was transferred from his hometown hospital to Starship Hospital up in Auckland. Josh has his amazing mum Nicola up there with him but unfortunately has had to leave behind his incredibly dedicated dad James and his rad little brother Ben. His dad updated everyone with this comment "Just done the hardest thing I've ever had to do and watch my son and wife take off to Auckland. it was tough while he was in hospital down here, I could see him every day. Now both of them are 6hrs away from me . Love you Nicola you are the strongest woman I know and Josh will have nothing to fear while your by his side."

During this time Nicola has had to give up her job so she can be with Josh and James has had to juggle work, hospital visits and parenting Ben. This extra challenge of being away from home is only going to put more stress emotionally and financially on a family that was already coping with exceptional circumstances.

We know money isn't going to change Josh's situation but but we do know that if they can start planning their holiday it will brighten Josh's day!

Ultimately it will be up to them how they spend this money as being in hospital and away form home incurs a lot of extra expense & I know James and Ben would also love to get up to Auckland to see Josh and Nic too. Basically we just was to relieve the stress that these guys are under and make this super difficult time a bit easier!

Thank you in advance for your kind donation.