09/10/2024
Hello Facebook Friends. Today I am ASKING FOR HELP.
One of my best friends/Cousins also named Jake is planning a once in a lifetime/ big final trip around WA, and we want your help. Unfortunately Jake was born with a very debilitating disease, that has left him wheelchair bound and with a very short life expectancy. One which he is already outliving. But first let me take you back.
From before I can remember, Jake and I grew up together, laughing playfighting and just being a couple of rowdy young boys. As we grew up, we continued to explore, try new things such as skateboarding and go on all kinds of adventures, wondering through bushlands, rivers and around the neighborhoods to see other kids. We had bottle collections, our secret hidding spots and we loved climbing trees.
Unfortunately, around the age of 14, play fighting became a lot easier for me, Jake struggled to stay up right on a skateboard, and climbing tress became a lot more dangerous. Our long adventures became much shorter as Jake would wobble and often fall over, and even got to the point where our parents thought we where out getting drunk, as Jake would often stumble through the door.
After a few trips to the doctors Jake Vance was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia, a muscle debilitating disease that basically eats away at the neurons in the Spinal Cord and Cerebellum (Brain). This leads to poor co-ordination and movement, eventuating in trouble breathing and unfortunately an early death. Jake's early life expectancy was roughly 30 years old.
As many of you (myself included) have gone through life, growing, exploring and experiencing all kinds of new adventures, Jake has remained in an impossible battle against his own body. I have put off writing this post for almost a month because the reality of the situation is one that brings me to tears every time I think about it, and is honestly just a little to difficult for me to accept. As I am on the otherside of the world, I am forever dreading the thought of receiving that heart sinking phone call. However, for now there IS something I can do.
You see Jake is planning a big road trip up through the north of Western Australia, to revisit all the places he lived, and visited as a young boy, from Perth, to Carnarvon, Kununurra, up into Darwin and as many places in between as he can physically manage. Unfortunately Jakes condition isn't great, and being completely wheel chair bound and needing full time care makes this trip somewhat expensive. But that's where you come in. If you are willing to go without your coffee today, or can find it in your heart to donate something more substantial, I, Jake and our entire family will be extremely grateful. We have created a gofund me page to make his dream become a reality. You can find the link here......
https://www.gofundme.com/f/jakes-last-chance-to-fulfill-his-dream
I don't often make posts like this, but this one sits very close to my heart and every little bit will help.
If you have made it this far, please like, Share and Comment below as this will help this post travel and hopefully find it's way to those who are able to donate and help make Jake's dream a reality.
Much love to all.
and Thanks in Advance to all of those who are able to help out. 💖😊
Let's get Jake onto his road trip.
Hi, my name is Jake Vance. I am 33 years old and live with a condition called Fre… Jacob Vance needs your support for Jake’s last chance to fulfill his dream
