Jack's Story

Baby Jack Dockery at only 3 months of age has had more surgeries and spent more time in the hospital than most adults.  Born on May, 17, 2007 weighing just 1 pound 2 ounces, Jack began his first days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. At just a month old, doctors performed a surgical procedure to remove part of his intestines due to a severe inflammation of his lower intestines and just weeks later he underwent an eye surgery to remove excess scar tissue, a condition that arose due to his premature birth. His parents are convinced Baby Jack is a “miracle baby” because he continues to improve and defy the odds when most babies with his condition would have very little or no chance of survival.

While Jack remains under close watch in the N.I.C.U. his mom, Amanda, an aspiring schoolteacher and dad, T. J., a construction worker for a family-owned business, calls the Ronald McDonald House their temporary “home away from home.”  “It’s right here. I can go to see him whenever I want.  As little as Jack is, I feel as if I was away from him, something bad may happen,” said Amanda.

The Dockery’s have been at the Ronald McDonald House now for over 100 days.  Each day, Jack shows further signs of improvement and has since gained about 2 ˝ pounds. But the family understands it may still be awhile before they can take Jack home. “The Ronald McDonald House is the most important support group we have.  T. J. and I are newlyweds.  Financially, we could not be here if not for the Ronald McDonald House.”

The Dockery’s say speaking with other families who are in similar situations fills them with hope and enables them to carry on.  They are also thankful for the outpouring of prayers and support they have received from their community in Murphy, North Carolina.