"It's every parent's worst nightmare to see your baby sick."
Tragically, this was the reality mum Chantele and dad Jye faced when their son Jagger was diagnosed with craniosynostosis at just 10 months old.
Jagger was admitted to the children's hospital for corrective surgery on his skull.
Thankfully, after a week in hospital, he recovered and was able to go home. Jagger's big sister Scarlett was so happy to have her baby brother back.
Sadly, during a routine MRI check-up earlier this year, doctors discovered Jagger had an unrelated brain condition called Chiari Malformation.
The bubbly three-year-old was suddenly back in hospital undergoing surgery to correct the crowding in his brain.
"The thought of someone operating on my sweet little boy's brain was absolutely horrific," Chantele said.
Jagger is an outgoing kid who his mum describes as "fearless," so it was heartbreaking to see him so frightened in hospital.
"Jagger was so scared; it broke my heart that he was so distressed. I worried about the long-term impact of all that trauma," Chantele said.
To add to his anguish, Jagger missed Scarlett terribly. The two are best friends and love playing outside together riding their scooters and jumping on the trampoline.
Jagger ultimately spent a month in hospital. "It was an incredibly stressful time for everyone," Chantele said. "The hardest part was seeing Jagger so unwell and in so much pain."
Amid all the fear and sadness, Captain Starlight arrived with the fun and happiness Jagger needed to cope with the scary world of hospital.
"The Captain Starlights were amazing. They understood Jagger was scared of everything going on in hospital and made him feel special. It was lovely to see him happy again," Chantele said.
Jagger loved going to the Starlight Express Room to see the Captains - as soon as he woke up in the morning he'd ask when he could go!
Chantele says it's so important for kids in hospital to be able to laugh and play.
"Jagger looked forward to going to the Starlight Express Room - he craved the fun and laughter. Even when he wasn't feeling well, he still wanted to go to do craft and run around playing games with the Captains."
Chantele said Jagger visited the Starlight Express Room 'twice a day, every day' and it gave him something fun to focus on instead of the pain and fear of his treatment.
"Without the Starlight Express Room, kids would be stuck in their hospital beds all day. Sick kids need a fun place where they can unwind and be kids away from the clinical medical setting."
Starlight helped Jagger's whole family cope with the stress of hospital. Every time Scarlett visited her little brother, she couldn’t wait to go to the Starlight Express Room to play together. "The Starlight Express Room was such a wonderful light in our days in hospital," mum said.
Thankfully Jagger is home now and is hoping to add soccer to his list of fun outdoor activities! Chantele says life is busy balancing family, work and ongoing medical appointments.
She said she can’t imagine their hospital experience without Starlight there.
"The Starlight Express Room made such a difference to Jagger's recovery. My husband and I have been long-term supporters of Starlight and have seen the impact first-hand. Please support this wonderful charity that makes such a difference to the lives of kids in hospital."
