Braden Daniels, an 11-year-old Jesup boy, recently had brain surgery for an injury sustained in April, and his family is struggling with the effects on their son.
The emotional and financial strain on the family has been very difficult, the parents said.
His mother, Hayden Brooke Daniels, said she has not been able to return to work since Braden’s surgery, as he requires a great deal of care and is in a lot of pain.
She has three other children as well, all younger than Braden, so her days are full.
“It’s just been a lot,” Hayden said. “We’re trying to do the best we can at home.”
In addition, Braden’s father, Jordan Daniels, is suffering from a back injury sustained in March and is unable to work.
Jordan said the strain of it all has been hard on the family, and he said they appreciate all the support from the community. He said he is currently trying to get over his back injury, though he also may need to have surgery.
Hayden said that they don’t have family in the county, and though their friends and church family have been supportive, things have been hard.
She set up a GoFundMe account to help with the medical expenses, and she said they appreciate anyone who can donate.
The fund account, which explains the incident, is online at gofundme.com/f/daniels-family-medical-fund-wcqbv.
An additional problem for the family has been that, because of an issue between the insurance company and the hospital, the pharmacy would not fill the prescription for his pain medication, so they are relying on Tylenol and ibuprofen, which don’t do much for his pain, Hayden said.
Playground accident
Braden was injured in early April when the chain broke on a swing at Cracker Williams Park, sending him some 20 feet and leaving him unconscious, Hayden explained. He was immediately transported to the hospital, and CT scans showed damage to his brain.
The incident was reported in a Jesup Police Department report on April 7, which said that Wayne Memorial Hospital had reported that a child had been injured by a fall from a swing.
Jesup City Manager Nick Ellis said Thursday that there is no statement on the incident from the city at this time.
On the GoFundMe, Hayden said, “We need our village during this time. Please keep us in your prayers, and if you are able, your support—whether through donations, sharing our story, or words of encouragement—would mean the world to us.”