Nixon Hansford (5) is now at school, enjoying swimming lessons, horse-riding and frame football, and, according to his mother, Dee Hansford, is ‘loving life’.
She is also backing the JEP’s Jersey Together campaign – which is encouraging Islanders to support those in need this Christmas – and urged people not to be ashamed to ask for or accept help.
‘People reached out when we were at our lowest,’ said Mrs Hansford. ‘There is no shame in accepting or asking for help. It’s not easy to do but the support we had helped us get through some hard days.’
The JEP first told Nixon’s story on Christmas Eve 2013 when he was preparing for a much-needed break from hospital, where he had spent months since his birth, to spend his first Christmas at home with his parents and big brother Riley, now aged ten.
At the time, it was not known if Nixon would ever walk, talk or even live to see his next Christmas.
The family still do not have a formal diagnosis or prognosis but as they prepare for a Christmas filled with, in Mrs Hansford’s words, ‘family, friends, laughter and Lego building’, the future is full of hope.
‘He has had a very healthy year. We have had a few bumps in the road but with early intervention and a good care plan we have managed to avoid any long hospital stays,’ said Mrs Hansford, who gave up work to care for Nixon when he was born but has since been able to return.
‘Nixon is loving life. Swimming lessons, horse-riding and frame football – there are so many amazing groups, teachers, support workers and volunteers that enable Nixon to have this great quality of life.’
She added: ‘When I think about our first interview with the JEP in December 2013 I tear up.
‘It was probably one of my worst days. We were nearly one year in hospital at that point, not knowing Nixon’s diagnosis and prognosis – was this going to be his only Christmas? Not knowing where we were going to live, how we were going to pay the bills, as I was no longer working – I felt heartbroken and every day was a tough and sad day.
‘And now I am the mum rushing the kids in the car to do school drop-off before work, asking the boys to stop bickering, snuggling watching Christmas movies on the sofa as a family of four, making camping trip plans, playdates, beach walks – you name it, we do it.
‘We do have some restrictions due to Nixon’s health but we don’t see it is as barriers: we see it as doing it differently, which is creative and is our norm.
‘I am grateful each and every day for the life we are living and I am aware things can change very quickly but we are enjoying and being grateful for today.
‘I am extremely proud and honoured to be the mother to two of the most loving and funny boys in the world.’
Backing the Jersey Together campaign, Mrs Hansford said her family had been on the receiving end of help when they needed it and would be forever grateful for the support, which included meals, a place to live for seven months, financial help and even donations to grant Nixon a special wish to see a WWE event.
‘People can hold a smile and say “I’m fine” but that is not the truth. Without support and kindness, we would not be where we are today. We have ridden the storm and we are enjoying the calm but if a new storm comes, we will fight it together, as we have lots of support behind us and we will put up a fight.
‘If ever I can be a support to other families out there who may want to have a chat about what we went through if they have a journey ahead, I would always be happy to be there for them if they needed me.’
