Family's Car Explodes on Way Home from Hospital After Age 5 Son's 11-Month Stay
Sometimes sorrows pile on, clamoring onto the unfortunate like angry hockey players out for blood. If you ever doubted that people are born for trouble just as a fire’s sparks fly upward, consider the sad case of Oliphant family.
The Ashland, Wisconsin, clan’s troubles started nearly a year ago when little Jaxon became severely ill. When he was three, physicians discovered that he had nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disorder that can lead to swelling and other issues.
“That led to chronic kidney disease, liver failure and lung issues,” his mother, Lindsay, told PEOPLE. “He’s had two liver transplants, a stroke, and seizure.”
In fact, those seizures seem as though they might be a permanent part of little Jaxon’s life. And his kidney disease proved so serious that he had to spend 11 months in the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, a facility located six hours from his home.
Yet on May 26, Jaxon finally received approval to check out. His travails weren’t over yet, though.
While on the road, the family’s GMC Jimmy started to smoke. Thirty-three-year-old Lindsay quickly pulled the vehicle to the side of the road.
“The first thing I did was go grab Jaxon, and [my son] Tony grabbed his wheelchair,” she explained to WISN. “Tony had to grab the three oxygen tanks before it exploded.”
That was all they had time for. Before they knew it, flames had begun to pour out of the car.
“I just feel like I can’t get a break,” Lindsay said. “At least the kids are okay.
“From Jax, I’ve learned you can’t take things for granted because it could be taken away with the blink of an eye.” However, the experience didn’t turn out as grimly as it initially seemed.
A passerby named Jen Weston saw the Oliphant’s situation and asked them if she could somehow help. She started a GoFundMe campaign with the relatively modest goal of raising $10,000 for a handicapped-equipped car.
Yet within the space of five days, the campaign had garnered $48,770 (as of press time). What’s more, that amount is in addition to $5,000 raised by local well-wishers.
Yes, now-5-year-old Jaxson has a tough row to hoe. But at least his family has had some of the weight taken off of their shoulders thanks to the kindness of strangers.
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