Telethon's Build Now Foundation Creates Backyard Oasis for Young Brain Cancer Survivor
In a heartwarming initiative, the Build Now Foundation, a recent beneficiary of Telethon, is transforming the backyard of Jade Reynolds and her five-year-old son Reid by installing a hydrotherapy pool. This project aims to reduce travel time for Reid's therapy sessions, providing him with a convenient and joyful space for rehabilitation.
A Mother's Journey Through Unimaginable Challenges
Jade Reynolds vividly recalls the moment her world turned upside down when her six-month-old baby, Reid, was diagnosed with a grade-four brain tumour. "It was like a movie, everything slowed down," she says, describing the shock of learning her son had glioblastoma, a highly aggressive and treatment-resistant form of brain cancer with low survival rates.
At just 21 years old and a first-time mum, Jade faced a daunting reality. "It was a bit of a blur, to be honest," she admits. "I remember just being in complete shock and thinking, how on earth am I going to tell my mum and dad?" Doctors initially feared Reid had only months to live, leading to emergency brain surgery after he suffered two heart attacks due to tumour pressure.
Reid's Remarkable Fight for Survival
Surgeons managed to remove about 50% of the tumour in the first operation, but Reid remained in intensive care for 10 days, battling seizures. A second surgery removed 99% of the tumour, but it came with complications, including two strokes. "The boy that went in on the Saturday was very different to the one that woke up 12 days later," Jade notes.
Over the next seven months, Reid endured seven rounds of chemotherapy, spending his first birthday in Perth Children's Hospital. Jade made the difficult decision to halt treatment when she saw him deteriorating. "I looked at him one day, and I remember thinking, if they give him any more chemo, it will kill him," she says. Miraculously, Reid began to improve, defying the odds with a five-year survival rate below 10% for glioblastoma.
Ongoing Medical Mysteries and Daily Struggles
Now five years old, Reid has become a medical mystery at Perth Children's Hospital, astonishing staff with his milestones despite numerous challenges. He faces daily seizures, level-five spastic quadplegic cerebral palsy, partial blindness, and other secondary conditions, requiring multiple weekly appointments for therapies like physio and occupational therapy.
Build Now Foundation's Tailored Support
The Build Now Foundation steps in to enhance Reid's quality of life by creating accessible spaces tailored to children's needs. For Reid, happiness is found in water, where weightlessness relieves his strained muscles and joints. "He really thrives outside, he loves being in the water," Jade explains. However, the logistics of accessing hydrotherapy pools have been a hurdle.
Stephen Mansfield, founder of Build Now, emphasizes the importance of this project. "This one is probably top of the list," he says. "There's very limited chances of him ever gaining strength, unless he does hydrotherapy treatment." The backyard pool installation will provide Reid with ready access, making therapy more sustainable and enjoyable.
Telethon's Role in Expanding Impact
As a new Telethon beneficiary, the Build Now Foundation can extend its reach to help more children like Reid. Mansfield highlights that this partnership enables them to "help more and more kids" by funding critical projects that improve accessibility and well-being. This initiative not only supports Reid's physical health but also brings joy and relief to his family, showcasing the power of community-driven efforts in healthcare and rehabilitation.
