Cabot Boy Back at Children's Hospital After Family Push For Change
By: Deedra Wilson
Updated: October 26, 2012
A Cabot family fighting for better care for their disabled son finally get what they've wanted.
Their 25-year-old son is back at Arkansas Children's Hospital, after a struggle with the hospital over whether he was too old to be there.
After our story aired a couple of weeks ago, Children's issued this statement::
"Arkansas Children's Hospital does not have a policy that restricts patient admission based on age.
Instead, patients are admitted where their medical needs can best be addressed.
For example we admit older patients to our burn center, but refer pregnant patients to other hospitals.
Some patients over 21 may require special equipment and treatment and, those are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the ACH Medical Director.
Most importantly, we always consider foremost the well being of a patient making safe and compassionate care our top priority."
"It feels so great to know that we've been heard and yes they realize these children do need help."
Matt and Mary Jackson cried tears of joy.
"I'm overwhelmed, we've wanted this for four and a half years and we fought hard to get it and now Codi is gonna get that care that he needs."
That care is at Children's Hospital, with the proper treatment and right size equipment to handle Codi's disabilities.
"Codi has Cerebal Palsey, and Scoliosis a number of disabilities, he's in a wheelchair bed bound."
Mary says thanks to better technology, Codi has been able to live longer...
"They tell us children like Codi didn't ever live past the age of 25."
But Codi has and his dad Matt can hardly explain what it means for them to have their pride and joy back at Children's Hospital.
"From the start of this when I explain when I walk into Children's Hospital I have hope, I have concerned people that are concerned for my son's situation."
