Jacob's Story
It takes a community
By Isabelle Southcott
When Gemma and Chris Neath discovered an alternative therapy that could make a huge difference in their young son's life, they knew they had to try it despite the fact they couldn't afford it.
Jacob, now five, has a genetic syndrome. He has difficulty hearing, struggles with speech and has poor eyesight. His body was starved of oxygen when he was a baby and because of that, he has some other problems. Despite all he's been through, Jacob is a sweet, loving, little boy who is thriving in Kindergarten at Assumption School.
One year ago, Jacob was struggling and his family didn't know what to do. "Jacob was unable to communicate," says mom Gemma. "He'd have terrible meltdowns and he couldn't speak very well."
In the fall of 2009, Gemma, who teaches at Assumption, was at a staff retreat. There, she met Father Larre, a doctor, who has received the Order of Canada. From Father Larre, Gemma learned about hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a treatment that can regrow blood capillaries in your brain, and Tomatis treatment, a listening therapy.
After doing the research and talking to others, the Neaths were hopeful that this treatment could make a huge difference in Jacob's life. They really wanted to try it but there was a hitch. It would cost approximately $16,000 and it was not covered by the province's medical services plan or their health insurance.
"We had this opportunity to try this," says Gemma. "Even if it did not work, we had to try it; how could we not?"
When Gemma's coworkers and the parish at Assumption learned of the family's problem, they decided to help out. Pretty soon donations were coming in and a wine and cheese fundraiser was being organized.
"The kids felt invested in this. They did babysitting in the gym when we held the wine and cheese fundraiser for Jacob," said Assumption School's Grade 9 teacher Elaine Cappiello. Quality Foods donated all the food and prizes were donated for the raffle and 50/50 draw. "We raised $4000 at the wine and cheese alone to help with Jacob's medical expenses," says Elaine. "It was pretty awesome."
Grade 9 students Braxton Leask and Austin Parise gave themselves mohawks to raise money and soon others were helping however they could. Students brought in money; people the Neaths didn't even know were sending them cards with donations tucked inside. "The support was unbelievable," says Chris.
The late Bob Hopkins, a Safeway employee, learned of Jacob's plight and donated a substantial amount of money. Bob was dying of cancer and asked that people make donations to Jacob's fund rather than buying flowers for his funeral.
Because of all the help and support received from the entire community, the Neath family were able to take Jacob to the Bosco Centre in Coquitlam, for therapy. Beginning in March of last year, Jacob spent two months receiving treatment.
"It's made a huge difference; it's truly changed our lives," says Chris. "It gave us the opportunity to have Jacob learn and because of this he can move forward educationally and emotionally."
Before treatment, Jacob could barely talk. "He couldn't put more than three words together. He could not communicate, so he'd get very frustrated, says his mom.
Since returning from treatment at the Bosco Centre, Jacob is a changed boy. "He sang in Carols By Candlelight and has done things we never thought he'd do," says Gemma. "He takes swimming lessons and goes to choir every week with Yumi Ball, his support worker through PRACL."
Some people told Chris and Gemma don't get your hopes up but now they're saying, "Wow... I can't believe the change in one year!" says Gemma.
These days Jacob can dress himself; he can get his own cereal and brush his own teeth. "He has gross and fine motor difficulties but I still think he has a lot of talent and a lot to offer the world, we just have to find out how to get it out," adds Chris.
And as for school, Jacob loves Kindergarten. The other children have more than accepted Jacob into the fold.
"He's come such a long way at school. The Kindergarten program is a whole child program where they do a lot of physical activity including yoga and breathing techniques," says Gemma.
"Jacob is doing so well," says Assumption principal Mimi Richardson as she walks into the Kindergarten classroom. "He is such a delight. He is always so happy and enthusiastic."
His winning ways have made him a favourite with his classmates and at lunch hour, he's kept busy on the swings and playing shadow tag.
Chris grew up in Kamloops but Gemma grew up in Powell River. The couple wanted to move back home to be closer to family and since returning that's happened and more.
"It turned out that this whole community of Powell River is our family," says Chris. "This has truly changed our lives." Although it has already been said numerous times, Gemma and Chris cannot thank their family, friends and the community of Powell River enough, for all their support.
