Sunderland teenager enjoys dream holiday, just a year after nightmare fortnight
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
and live on Freeview channel 276
What a difference a year makes.
This time last year, Jacob Brown got a chest infection during a two-week foreign holiday with his family.
He was confined to bed and coughed so hard, it ripped his cartilage from his ribs.
'I cant do this mam' - Jacob's sickness hell in 2022
His internal organs only had 1.5 inches of space.
His lungs were being crushed
But 12 months later, he is a changed boy after having a £15,000 operation to stop his heart and lungs from being crushed.
Jacob has been on holiday once more - to Turunc in Turkey - and this time, it was a completely different experience.
His mum Rachel said: "He was running, jumping and playing in the pool. He was diving off the pier, just like a boy with no thought for it at all.
'We had to carry him on the plane'
"Last year, he got a cold which went to his chest and he spent the whole of the second week in bed.
"He was on painkillers and when it was time to come home, he was crying and saying 'mam, I cant do it. We had to carry him on the plane to get him home."
He went to the doctors on his return to England. It showed that Jacob's cartilage had detached from his ribs as there was so little room in his chest.
Amazing progress after his op
His progress has been amazing ever since.
Rachel said: "This was the first time away for Jacob since his operation and it was lovely to see.
"He was just a normal lad who had his top off some of the time.
"He is wanting to go to the gym and build up muscle now, and he is using the pull-up bars that we have at home."
So many people to thank
Jacob is doing so well that he doesn't need any more check-ups for 6 months.
Earlier this year, a fundraising appeal was launched with his caring sister Hollie Ferguson leading the campaign to get help.
A Washington company Peak Body Nutrition as well as Sunderland Echo readers helped to pay for the operation costing almost £15,000 at the Portland Hospital in London.
Jacob, who is a student at East Durham College, sent a heartfelt video from his hospital bed. He had a message for everyone who had supported him: “Thank you. You have changed my life forever.”
More surgery needed in the future
The Bradley Lowery Foundation also took on Jacob’s cause. As well as fundraising, it campaigned for the surgery procedure to be put back on the NHS.
Over time, the bars will push the sternum outwards to improve the depth of his chest, and that will free the pressure on his organs.
Eventually, further surgery will be needed to remove the bars and more funds will be needed. People can support the Jacob Brown Needs Your Help cause.