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Caleb's journey helped by locals

Young boy in Sooke stricken with an unknown illness
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Caleb and his mother April Jordan.

Young Caleb Jordan’s journey took an unexpected turn at the tender age of two.

On December 2013 April Jordan was shocked to find her young son Caleb lying flat on the ground in mid seizure. The startling impact of the event did not end there.  After more seizures, the vitality and mobility of Caleb regressed.  Other health issues ensued, including hand tremors, eye problems with a loss of depth perception, plummeting blood sugar levels and the loss of early speech.

“He was lifeless in his crib ...it was heartbreaking,” April recalls.

After several separate hospital visits it was decided that Caleb would need to spend some dedicated time at B.C Children’s Hospital.

He has been receiving acute medical care in Victoria but the mystery of his illness lingers. To this day, doctors have been unable to determine the nature of Caleb’s conditions. He is due to see a specialist, Dr. Ramona Salvarinova, in biochemical diseases on November 3.

“My little man is a fighter... he’s a celebrity in Sooke,” April proudly asserts.

Awareness for Caleb’s condition began when she started a Facebook group called Caleb’s Journey several months ago.  Since then, the outpouring of support has been encouraging. Chantal Sutherland from Sooke Moms’ Swap and Shop held a market event on September 20 at the community hall with profits and donations going to the costs for Caleb’s hospital visit. Others have donated bottles for returns to the Jordan family residence at 6835 Beaton Road. The costs of the ambulance rides alone have strained the family’s finances.

April Jordan is ever grateful for the overwhelming support that has come from the Sooke community for her son.  Through tears of gratitude she recalls how the uncertainty of moving to a small West Coast town have opened her heart to the beauty of Sooke.

“Coming from a small town in Newfoundland I was unsure how it would be to pick up and move my life and move to an unknown place. But the people here have been amazing and supportive to my little man since he became ill,” April joyfully recounts.  “Sooke is a great place to live. It reminds me of home back in Newfoundland. I wish that other parents with children that have similar symptoms might connect and maybe have some understanding or something in common.  My highest hope for Caleb, my dream, is that one day Caleb will be able to say ‘Mommy, I love you!’.”

Walking outside for a photograph, Caleb’s eyes widen as they approach the trees. With wordless wonder he smiles and gazes up at the tall greenery trying to locate the source of the bird calls. Tightly wrapped in his mother’s arms, Caleb hears his own heart’s delight in the surrounding blanket of love that nurtures this little man’s big world.

Donations for Caleb may be made through any TD Canada Trust location, account# 99160-6023677