Jack is a 16-year-old who loves sailing, gaming, and making people laugh. Before Crohn’s disease turned his world upside down, he was an active sophomore enjoying time with friends and looking forward to getting his driver’s license.
Over the past 9 months, Jack has endured more than any teenager should. What first seemed like a series of separate medical issues (burst appendix, infection, abdominal pain) slowly revealed severe Crohn’s disease causing extensive inflammation, scarring, strictures, and damage in his intestines. Despite months of medical interventions and multiple ambulance rides to the ER, Jack just kept getting worse.
In early May, Jack underwent major surgery at Mayo Clinic to remove damaged sections of his intestine. While the surgery went well, recovery has been far more complicated than expected. Jack experienced extreme pain amplification crisis that required intensive care and around-the-clock treatment in the PICU. Even with powerful medications, he faced terrifying pain for over a week, leading to a rewiring of his nervous system that keeps the pain amplification cycle going. Through the exhaustion and trauma, he is still “completely Jack”—scared and tired, yes, but also funny, sharp-witted, and deeply loved.
This ongoing medical crisis has reshaped life for the entire Lushbough family. Jack has been hospitalized more weeks than he’s been home since January, and his parents have been constantly swapping between the hospital and their home, trying to balance work and care for Jack’s siblings. Also deeply affected, his sisters are carrying far more than children should. Ruby (14) was diagnosed with Crohn’s the very same day as Jack; while her journey looks different, it carries the same unpredictability. Meanwhile, Lily (11) is processing the reality of two siblings facing serious illness, quietly wondering if Crohn’s will one day be her story, too. Despite this weight, they remain Jack’s biggest supporters.
This is where we come in. After 9 months of navigating impossible challenges, the financial strain of hospital living and dealing with severe illness has compounded along with the reality of the lifelong medical expenses Crohn’s requires. Jack still has a long road to just get back to baseline, but community is a powerful force for hope and healing. We have an opportunity to support Jack now and provide a safety net for the future.
Our hope is simple: less pain, steady healing, and a return to being a normal teenager. Right now, the family is sailing through a storm they never saw coming. Your support helps steady the boat so the Lushboughs can focus on Jack’s recovery and on helping all three kids feel safe and supported.
Please donate to Help Hope Live in Jack’s honor today, and ask your friends and family to give too! Your donation is tax-deductible, and all funds are administered by Help Hope Live for medically reimbursable expenses only.
Thank you for your kindness and for helping Jack reach calmer waters!
