A FAMILY celebrated an anniversary this past weekend that many medical experts said could never happen.

The occasion, celebrated on Sunday at the family home in East Tilbury, was the tenth birthday for Jackson Garwood who has defied a forecast that he might not reach the age of two.

Thurrock Nub News first told the story of Jackson Garwood in February 2019 after his dad Darren published the initial edition of what has now become a series of illustrated children's stories featuring the imaginary superhero his son dreamed he might be.

Jackson had appeared to be a healthy child until the age of one but was then diagnosed with Krabbe disease, with doctors giving him a year to live.

However, he has fought on and turned 10 on Monday (2 August) and has become one of the oldest children alive with his condition in the UK.

Krabbe disease is a genetic neurological condition which affects the nervous system and causes degeneration. Jackson cannot walk, talk or sit up, his dad said, but has fantastic hearing.

Baby Jackson.

Mr Garwood said: "Jackson was reaching normal milestones up until the age of one, walking, talking and trying to say mum and dad".

But one day, Jackson was left unable to move parts of his body.

Life expectancy for children with the disorder is two but Mr Garwood said Jackson had "defied the odds".

He added that his son's achievements were always celebrated regardless of how small or big they may seem, and they had a lot planned for his birthday.

"When you get a diagnosis that your child won't live past two, [you don't] take all these little things for granted," he added.

Mr Garwood said his son was an inspiration to the family and a "strong little lad".

He added: "He is generally happy and cheeky but also, he is beautiful. He is my superhero, I would say.

"If I hurt myself or complain about something and then I look at him and just think, what an amazing little boy - he just deals with all the stuff that is thrown at him really."

At the family home on Sunday the family, including sisters Seren (7) and Nora (3), and friends celebrated his life.

Darren said: "He has lots of health issues, he can't walk, talk, he is fed through a tube into his belly and he can only slightly see (on a good day) but his hearing is excellent.

"On a good day we can get a beautiful smile out of him."

Having been inspired by Jackson to write his first book, Darren has now published four follow-up stories.

And a sixth is due soon.

Darren said: "We are close to releasing the new Jackson superhero story called "Jackson saves the tooth fairy". We never thought we would see Lackson loose a tooth and explain about the tooth fairy""

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https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/jackson-is-inspiration-for-superhero-character-194057

https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/jacksons-adventures-will-be-shared-with-festival-goers-as-his-superhero-story-continues-194061