World applauds Jaxon's miracle recovery
He is the toddler whose miracle recovery after a horrific car accident captured the world’s attention.
Seven News brought you the story of how surgeons re-attached Moranbah boy Jaxon Taylor’s head and neck in a marathon operation that defied the odds.
Now the family is sharing Jaxon’s legacy in the hope of saving the lives of more Australians on the road.
For a 16 month old, Jaxon has taken more giant steps than most.
A head on crash in northern New South Wales three weeks ago badly injured the toddler’s sister and ripped Jaxon’s top two vertebrae apart; an injury that usually results in paralysis or death.
But groundbreaking Queensland surgery put him back together.
“He is very resilient and very determined,” Rylea Taylor said.
Jaxon has since needed his halo readjusted to straighten his spine.
“It was hard in that we were super excited to get home,” Ms Taylor said.
Now his family’s spirits have been boosted by a flood of support from around the world.
The 7 News Facebook page received a huge response with Jaxon’s stories reaching tens of millions of people and prompting thousands of comments.
It has also received media coverage in the US, the UK and Brazil.
And US comedian Marlon Wayans posted about Jaxon to his millions of follows writing: “This kid is a walking miracle”.
“… You just don’t expect that there’s so much good in the world and that there are so many people out there that care,” Ms Taylor said.
Jaxon’s family is now using this experience to campaign for harsher penalties for reckless drivers Australia-wide.
They’ve launched an online petition which has received thousands of signature.
An 18-year-old NSW man will face court over Jaxon’s accident next month on multiple charges.
They include two counts of dangerous driving and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
An X-ray tomorrow will determine if Jaxon can go home. His halo could be removed by Christmas – a time, his family says, will be the most special yet.
“You can’t replace your children and you can’t replace somebody you love,” Ms Taylor said.
Morning news break – October 8
