A family vacation turned into an unimaginable tragedy.
Now, the parents of 4-year-old Jaxon Knowles are sharing their story to raise awareness.
A Sudden Turn for the Worse
Jaxon’s parents, Sammy and Jordan Knowles, took him on a short holiday to Blackpool, hoping for a fun getaway. But on their way home, Jaxon started complaining about pain under his arm. Soon, he said his stomach hurt.
That night, he asked to sleep in his mother’s bed, something he often did when feeling unwell. Sammy gave him a small dose of medicine to bring down his fever, expecting it to pass.
At 5 a.m., she woke up to check on him. That’s when she saw the rash.
A Desperate Fight
“At first, I thought it was chickenpox,” Sammy said. “Then I turned on the light and realized it was much worse.”
Jaxon’s condition declined rapidly. His tongue swelled, and he struggled to breathe. His parents called emergency services and turned him on his side while waiting for help.
Doctors did everything they could. “There were 15 of them working on him,” Sammy recalled. “But he was crying blood.”
Jaxon was placed in a coma, but his heart stopped the next morning.
A Message for Others
Jaxon died of meningococcal disease, a severe form of bacterial meningitis. His parents, devastated, now want to raise awareness.
“If we can help one family, that would mean everything,” Jordan said.
In his memory, donations are being made to Meningitis Now. His favorite football club, Sheffield Wednesday, will also hold a tribute.
“He was our everything,” Sammy said. “Now, there’s just a void.”