Jackson’s Closet
“Bringing hope one outfit at a time”
Jackson’s Closet is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization
founded by The Scannell Family
EIN: 33-1424161
Jackson was born in April 2024 and spent almost his first two weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in South Florida. We know through personal experience just how hard these times are for both the families of patients and the miracle workers of the units.
One of the first feel good moments of hope was when we were told to bring clothes in for Jackson. The nurses finally felt they were getting close to removing enough of tubes that he could wear clothing.
Getting our Jackson dressed for the first time gave us such hope and we want to give other families and babies in the NICU that same hope.
To do that, we created Jackson’s Closet, an onsite supply of clothing ranging in sizes and styles that can be provided for the babies at Joe DiMaggio NICU.
Once we feel that the NICU at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital has the supply needed to continuously support, we will look to expand further to additional hospitals.
Jackson’s Story
Jackson had a completely normal pregnancy, he was strong, active, and without any complications to him. Did I take a hit on symptoms like nausea, low iron etc. sure, but he was pure pregnancy perfection.
On Friday March 29, 2024, with the induction date due to my age coming closer and me being concerned, one of my doctors said we could take a blood test and just check all my levels. I did so laughing saying it will be fine as we have seen throughout the pregnancy but let’s do it. So on a whim I took the test. Were my ankles and feet not looking normal and my hands slightly stiff, sure, but everything else was fine. That Monday, my daughter’s birthday, I was called into my doctors office to be told I had Pre-eclampsia and was being sent to the hospital for an immediate induction. From the start Jackson wasn’t having it, was his active, wild self not wanting to calm down. 12 hours into labor and after one scare of a low heartbeat due to a 4 minute contraction he didn’t want to sustain, a shot to space out the contractions, induction medicine, and calming him multiple times, my doctor broke my water and started pitocin. 5 hours later I was 10 cm. And doing practice pushes. 30 minutes later nurses, my doctor and tons of concern, Jackson’s heartbeat was dropping and I was rushed to the OR for an emergency c-section. I will spare the details of this part of the story but I am grateful to be lucky enough that Jackson and I are able to be in this world still and tell this story.
After getting him out (less than 2 min. from the doctors and nurses demanding the emergency c-section to me being in the Operating Room) he was rushed to the NICU and being transferred to a level 4 NICU at another hospital. For the first 3 days of his life, I was at one hospital and he was at another. I didn’t touch him or see him (besides an incubator for 45 seconds prior to transport) after the surgery. During the first 5 days of his life, he was being monitored around the clock. Jackson was on a cooling mat to put him at hypothermic temperatures for his first 3 days, he was fighting. Once his body temperature was raised back to normal levels the testing began; MRI’s, EEG’s EKG’s and every test possible with tons of possibilities of what his life could be. From the start pulling out CPap tubes, trying to pull out lines, opening his eyes, and more. Every test came back clear and with the best results that we could have prayed to god for. He got back all his reflexes and upon learning what he had to do showed us all (doctors, nurses and parents) why he was meant for this world. After 11 days, the first 5-6 of them that were a true nightmare where we were always waiting, (and fighting with him) for the what if’s or the answers to the tests, we were granted the ability to take Jackson home because he showed us all that the tiniest humans have the biggest fight.
A road like this reminds us that miracles do exist, that with prayer and hope, you can find a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you to all the NICU doctors and nurses, you all need way more love and credit than you get. Thank you for all the friends and family who prayed, showed up in person or checked in daily and let us know we weren’t alone. Thank god for allowing us to be this lucky and be given all the miracles we were given. Though we were put on this road, every bad moment we experienced, we were bestowed with the best case scenario and results we could be given. That blood test, not laboring at home (I had a medical complication that caused the emergency c-section and if I was home the results would have been very different), being in a hospital that had the cooling mat to start the treatment as soon as possible prior to transfer, my husband being in the room and us both trusting that the emergency c-section had to happen and not questioning it. Life is tough but this journey has shown us that we are tougher and better together.
Thank you all, support your NICU’s, be thankful for the miracles in life, and remember that no one knows what someone is going through so when in doubt, always be kind.
