Jackson's Story - Matarangi

Most of us have been there. It’s almost a Kiwi Kid traditionbeing double-bounced on a trampoline but unfortunately, for young Jackson, itwasn’t a smooth landing. What started as a fun day at a family birthday partyin beautiful Matarangi would abruptly end. Needing the services of a rescue helicopterwas the furthest thing from anyone’s minds. Mum Kelly could hear Jackson and dadMike having the time of their lives but then she heard her eldest boy crying.

“It’s unusual for Jackson to cry,” Kelly says, “I thought tomyself, I might just check that out.” Kelly found her son in a lot of pain withhis equally distraught dad.

The sight of Jackson’s leg said it all.

“I think I’ve broken it,” Mike said. The family lovespending time in the Coromandel. “It’s a cool place for kids to play and welove the beach life,” Kelly says. The closest thing on their minds however wasgetting Jackson the care he needed which now seemed very far away.

“I’d never seen Jackson in so much pain before,” Kelly says,“I was worried that the windy roads would cause him more trauma.” As with allcrises, the Matarangi community quickly rallied around. A facetime call wasarranged with ambulance and the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was taskedto help. Kelly recalls her son being in the best of hands as they made the quick20-minute flight to Starship Hospital. Jackson has since bounced back to his happyself.

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