In Maine, an 8-year-old boy is awaiting a life-saving kidney transplant.
Meanwhile, his family is ensuring that he gets the most out of life.
Jamison Boutwell was overjoyed to learn he’d be flying to Atlanta with his father, Matt, to watch the 49ers take on the Falcons.
“Very excited, very, very, very, very excited,” Jamison said.
The trip last weekend was a surprise for Jamison’s eighth birthday.
When San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo spotted Jamison in the crowd, he surprised him with a towel.
“A very brief story. And the reason for this was that it was my birthday, so the problem was solved “Jamison explained.
Matt saw it as a bonding experience with his son and an opportunity to provide a sense of normalcy.
“To be honest, it means a lot to me. Matt is an excellent father “Jamison’s mother, Bethany Short, spoke up.
It was appreciated by Jamison’s mother and stepmother back home.
“He’s had a lot going on recently, so just seeing him be able to enjoy himself and have fun without having to worry about stuff, that’s what matters the most,” Jamison’s stepmom, April Short, said.
Among the happy moments were glimpses of Jamison’s everyday life.
“He had to take a long break during our weekend trip. He dozed off for about 14 hours. He slept from 4 a.m. on Saturday until about 6 a.m. on Sunday, just getting re-acclimated “Matt stated.
When the family began potty training, they noticed something was off. Trips to the doctor yielded no answers, and they claimed their concerns were dismissed.
“Eventually, we switched his pediatrician, and at the very first appointment, they did a urine test, and they came back and said, it’s probably something you’ve never heard of, but we think he has diabetes insipidus,” April explained.
This was only the tip of the iceberg. The true cause was a blockage in Jamison’s urinary tract, which the family believes should have been detected before his birth.
“He was born with something that was not caught, and it remained undiscovered for years. It harmed his bladder and kidneys, and he now had to deal with both on a daily basis “Matt stated.
They learned Jamison would need a kidney transplant about three years ago, but they are still looking for a donor.
Meanwhile, they started a Facebook page, kidney4jamison, to spread the word about their plight.
“#ShareYourSpare is what I’d say. We would be eternally grateful if someone could make a donation to Jamison “said Bethany.
Jamison, whose condition is responsible for his small stature, said he is looking forward to the day when he will be able to experience life with more energy, making future trips with his father a little easier.
“And I’ll be older and taller! I’m going to be tall!” Jamison explained.
“Are you feeling well?” Matt inquired.
“Yeah,” Jamison said.
“Would you be grateful?” Matt stated.
“Yes,” Jamison confirmed.
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