Little Gibson has been a fighter for all of his short life. His dad James Dodd said he was born "kicking and screaming" even though his parents were told he wouldn't survive beyond birth.
Gibson was born with Joubert Syndrome, a condition that caused brain and organ underdevelopment. Despite predictions that he wouldn't make it, Gibson is now six years old.
But his life hasn't been easy for him or his family. In November last year, James had to perform CPR on Gibson when he went into cardiac arrest.
Although he survived, he was left with left-threatening injuries and brain damage. It means that the family has had to face the heartbreak of preparing to say goodbye to their "happy" little boy, as his condition has worsened since the cardiac arrest, reports SurreyLive. James said Gibson’s short but happy time on earth had taught him about the “fragility” of life and the importance of cherishing little moments with loved ones.
James said: "He was then transferred to The Evelina in London and then to St George’s Hospital, where he spent over a month on a ventilator, numerous tests were carried out and it started to become apparent that the hospital couldn’t do any more for him. After some very long discussions and heartbreaking decisions, it was decided that he would be moved to a hospice for end-of-life care where we could make some lovely memories with him to cherish forever."
James, who is a keen musician, always dreamed of owning his very own Gibson Guitar. While the instrument was always out of his price range, when his son was born, he became the Gibson James “never had”. The doting dad reached out to Gibson Guitars, asking if he could buy one to have his son’s handprints put on, so while he plays the instrument he has a part of his son with him wherever he goes.
Much to his surprise, the guitar company made James an amazing offer, sending him his very own Gibson guitar as a gift after being so touched by James and Gibson's story. However, “extreme” customs fees mean that James will have to shell out £950 to have it imported over from America.
He set up a fundraiser to bring the guitar into the UK, and get Gibson’s handprints professionally put onto the body of the instrument. “Funds are low as I am not working that much at the moment to care for Gibson, so a few people said to fundraise to get the guitar into the UK. I’m not usually that kind of person but this is time sensitive to get done and do memory-making activities with Gibson.
“Time is running out. I don't know how long I have with my son to make this happen. We have been doing memory-making activities together and with his mum.”
Once James has raised enough money to pay the customs fees, he will continue raising money for Shooting Star as a thank you to the charity for all the support his family has received over the years. “Once I have the guitar, I will try and rebate the money, and whatever I get back from importing the guitar I will also give back to Shooting Star,” James said. While he has already raised £1,000 to cover the customs fees, he is still continuing the fundraiser, to make as much money as possible for the charity.
“We did handprints and footprints with Gibson that we can keep, and we went swimming at the hospital as part of a memory-making activity. He had a line in his leg at the time and the nurses took it out and put a float for the oxygen tank so we could do that together. He does love swimming, it’s his favourite thing at school."
James added: “Gibson loves going on walks, I push him along in his wheelchair. He loves listening to all the nature sounds like the birds, or listening to people talking in a café. He looks around, he is not mobile and is non-verbal, so he takes everything in. He is a happy little boy and his smile is what people will recognise him for first.”
Gibson’s teachers from Portesbery School, in Deepcut, Surrey, have been to visit him, bringing classes, music and sensory boxes for him, which James says put a big smile on Gibson’s face. The school has 115 children aged between two and 19 years of age with severe learning difficulties. James feels “lucky” to have sent Gibson to the school, and their favourite activity together is riding bikes around the playground.
To donate to James and Gibson's fundraiser, click here.
