Three-year-old Jack just loves life growing up on the farm. He loves dirt, tractors and power tools and is always super keen to help dad Romano out with odd jobs and faming work.
"He's desperate to mow the grass with the ride on mower," says mum Jessica, "but we won't let him!"
Another thing Jack loves is his food, so when he was refusing meals just before Christmas Jessica and Romano knew something wasn’t right. When Jack started vomiting and complaining of a tummy ache, Romano decided to take him to the local hospital where he works as a ward assistant, just as a precaution.
What happened next was completely unexpected.
As they examined Jack, the nurses realised his condition was serious. An X-ray showed his appendix had ruptured.
Jack and Jessica were rushed by air to their closest children’s hospital, an hour's flight away, where Jack underwent emergency surgery to remove his ruptured appendix.
It was a roller coaster of emotion for both Jessica and Jack he recovered from surgery, in a hospital 250 kilometres away from home, just days out from Christmas. Jack was scared about when he’d see his dad, and his best mate and little brother Oliver, again.
But the day after Jack's surgery a healthy dose of happiness came calling when Captain Starlight knocked at the hospital room door!
"When the Captains came around, Jack was still tired and groggy from the surgery, but they still brought a big smile to his face. They gave him a Christmas pressie which he just loved," says Jessica.
While Jessica hoped they'd be home in a few days' time, Jack developed an infection and they were forced to extend their stay away from home.
Captain Starlight came around to the ward every day to hand out bingo cards so the kids in the hospital could join in a daily game of bingo via Starlight TV.
Then, when he was able, Jack was so excited to go to the Starlight Express Room to spend more time with the Captains.
Jack's favourite part of the Starlight Express Room was the amazing interactive floor.
"Jack was just fascinated by the interactive floor," recalls Jessica. "He just wanted to be with the Captains and would do anything they would suggest to distract him. It made the whole experience so much more fun for him."
Just before Jack was discharged, the Captains brought their mate Santa to visit Jack in his room. While he was quite shy at first to have the real-life Santa sitting in his room, he soon warmed up with the help of Captains Starlight and they all joined in on some festive Christmas cheer. Jack was chuffed with the presents he received and today they are among his favourite toys.
After a week in hospital Jack was able to travel home on Christmas Eve, and start rebuilding his strength as he shadowed his Dad around the farm. He is super proud they now have "matching" appendix-removal scars, and Jack likes to show his off as often as possible!
Happy to have Jack back in good health, and with their Christmas health scare behind them, Jessica will never forget the happiness Captain Starlight to Jack when he was sick.
"It's hard to understand until you're experiencing it, but Starlight made hospital a fun experience for Jack. He is not scared of doctors or hospitals now as he had such a positive time while he was there. It really lightened up the experience of what could have been a terribly sad time for us."
