Terrific Thomas Land wish for Jacob
When Jacob was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at just 18 months old, he was given just a 20% chance of surviving. Thankfully, he’s beaten those odds so far, and when his family decided he deserved an extra special day, Make-A-Wish was only too happy to grant his wish to visit Thomas Land…
Jacob, from Bristol and now four, has always loved Thomas the Tank Engine and during treatment, when he was in isolation and toys had to be wipe-clean, his Mum, Maxine, described the plastic toy Thomas the Tank Engine trains as invaluable. On the day of his wish, Jacob was thrilled to experience the magic of Thomas Land, the special theme park near Tamworth devoted to Thomas and all his friends, as well as meet The Fat Controller – something he had specifically requested.
Before being diagnosed in October 2009, Jacob had stopped eating and wasn’t walking. After several trips to the doctors, he was referred to the hospital for tests. It was after an ultrasound that the family were told Jacob had cancer. Maxine described the news as “a complete bombshell”. Since being diagnosed Jacob has had chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Maxine said: “It sounds strange but I found myself grieving for the ‘normal’ and ‘mundane’ life he may never have.”
