Jacob was born with a genetic condition that made eating incredibly difficult, leaving him reliant on tube feeding. Although tube feeding was necessary, it often led to serious complications, including aspiration pneumonia. Jacob needed life-changing surgery—a gastrostomy button that would not only solve his feeding issues but also dramatically improve his quality of life. Unfortunately, as his mother Chantelle explains, "Our waiting lists are four years plus for a gastrostomy button." So, they decided to go private for the surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London, over 475 miles away from their home in Belfast.
Jacob needed an air ambulance for safe transport to access this critical surgery.
“That is where Lia's Wings came into play. It was going to cost us over £20,000 to get to London the safest way for our little boy. Something we couldn't afford. When we contacted Lia’s Wings, they offered to help straight away and lifted this huge burden from us.”
Lia’s Wings stepped in, arranging Jacob’s air ambulance to GOSH for his specialist surgery. We also organised accommodation for the family while Jacob recovered before flying them back to Belfast with a medical escort. Chantelle recalls:
“Lia’s Wings regularly checked in to see what else they could do to help while we planned this huge journey. They told us the Lia’s Wings team loved us, and they were there for us. That we are now family, and how much little Lia would have loved how much this was going to change Jacob's life.
“Chris, Satu (Lia’s Wings flight team) and our two wonderful pilots took Jacob to London, and I can't thank them enough for the care and compassion they showed us all. We also received a teddy bear and care package, which came in extremely useful, especially the fluffy blanket and hairbrush! The two things I forgot for myself! Satu then flew home with us commercially... Jacob was incredible on each flight, but we are so indebted to Satu for looking after our baby just like he was her own. We hope our friendship will last forever. We won't ever forget anyone at Lia's Wings.”
Jacob’s surgery was truly life-changing. His health and well-being have never been better, and as his family says, he’s "happy and thriving” —something that wouldn’t have been possible if Lia’s Wings hadn’t stepped in. Chantelle adds:
“Jacob's little life and general condition has never been better... we love you all very, very much and thank God every day for angels on earth in the form of our amazing Lia's Wings family."