For one family, a vacation that was supposed to be a dream became an unthinkable tragedy. After the tragic death of 4-year-old Jaxon Knowles, they are now grieving and using their suffering to share a crucial message.
Sammy Knowles, Jaxon’s mother, and Jordan, her husband, had taken their kid to Blackpool for a quick getaway in the hopes of making priceless memories. However, something went horribly wrong on Sunday, February 16, when the family got home. Jaxon started to complain of soreness behind his arm before dozing off for a bit. He complained of abdominal pain when he woke up. Remembering the incident, his mother recounted that he had previously had chest infections, so she assumed he would heal as he had in the past and gave him a small amount of paracetamol to lower his fever.
Jaxon, who always begged to sleep in his mother’s bed when he wasn’t feeling well, did so later that night. At first glance, it appeared to be a minor ailment. However, Sammy discovered something concerning as soon as she woke up at approximately five in the morning and used her phone’s flashlight to check Jaxon’s temperature. She initially believed it to be chickenpox, but upon turning on the lamp, she discovered that the rash covering his body was far more severe.
Jaxon’s condition quickly worsened. He started to throw up, and his tongue and lips were swollen. When his breathing became difficult, his parents had to move him onto his side. They frantically dialed 911 and waited impotently for an ambulance to come. “The days before they came seemed to drag on forever,” Sammy remembered.
Jaxon was critically ill by the time he arrived at the hospital. A group of fifteen medical professionals encircled him and made every effort to save his life. Sammy hummed his favorite lullabies, clinging to hope, but the medical staff quickly informed her that he needed to be placed in a coma and taken to a children’s hospital. They tried everything, but Jaxon’s heart stopped. He was momentarily brought back to life by medical professionals, but on Monday morning, February 17, he tragically died.
The whole family was shocked. Jaxon had not shown any symptoms of a major illness and had been his normal, cheerful self just hours before. It was eventually determined that meningococcal illness, a fatal type of bacterial meningitis that mainly strikes young children, was the cause of his death. Sammy, who is still having trouble dealing with the loss, called Jaxon their “miracle baby.” He had been their only hope after seven years of trying to conceive, several IVF cycles, and three heartbreaking miscarriages.
The distraught parents of Jaxon are now resolved to use their loss to spread knowledge about meningitis in the hopes that other families won’t have to go through what they have. They want people to understand that this illness can attack suddenly and without much notice. Early symptoms might be hard to identify since they sometimes mimic those of common illnesses like the flu. As the infection develops, symptoms such a stiff neck, light sensitivity, confusion, and seizures may appear in addition to the initial symptoms of fever and headaches. Serious cases may result in death or a coma in a matter of hours.
In the United States, bacterial meningitis affects about 3,000 people annually, or one in every 100,000. Even with advancements in medicine, up to 10% of cases end in death. The Knowles family hopes that more can be done to stop these terrible losses by raising awareness and providing funds, as infants and young children are the most vulnerable.
To commemorate Jaxon, a charity page has been set up, and any contributions will be donated to Meningitis Now, a group that helps families impacted by the illness. Jordan, his dad, said they hoped that more money and study could help stop similar incidents in the future.
Additionally recognized will be Jaxon’s passion for the Sheffield Wednesday football team. Fans will join in a heartfelt four-minute round of applause during their next game against Sunderland in remembrance of the young kid whose life was snatched way too soon.
Sammy and Jordan continue to battle the debilitating emptiness caused by Jaxon’s absence as they grieve. Sammy explains, “He was everything to us.” There is now nothing except emptiness. There is no one in our house. The world is void. Nothing is ours. They have a clear message for other parents: understand meningitis, follow your gut, and get medical attention right once if something feels off. By telling Jaxon’s tale, they will hopefully be able to save lives.
