Video: New single to raise funds for hospital that saved Jack’s life
Jack McNiffe, 9, from Kildare is the only person in the world to have both Down syndrome and CINCA Syndrome, a degenerative disease that causes severe inflammation.
Jack spent the first three years of his life in hospital, has undergone two heart operations, and takes 16 types of medication a day.
He currently has chronic arthritis, uses a wheelchair, is fed through a tube and needs constant supervision.
Despite this his father Michael says Jack remains positive and is very happy.
He also talked about his son’s huge love of animals, revealing the McNiffe household is home to Jack’s three dogs, two rabbits, a hamster and a couple of fish.
“He’s a very happy boy, always has been. Despite all these huge disabilities he’s been able to have some form of a life,” he said.
Jack stayed in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital until he was three, and returns almost weekly for further treatment.
“We didn’t think he would survive, but now he’s nine. Without these people [the hospital staff] Jack wouldn’t be here today.”
Michael says Jack owes his life to the staff which is why his wife Aisling decided to donate the proceeds of the CD to Crumlin’s rheumatology department.
“We’re just so grateful to the hospital because they saved Jack’s life so many times. You hear about cutbacks and all that, but there should be no cutbacks for frontline services. We just want to raise as much money as we can.”
Jack’s great-aunt Polly O’Loughlin wrote and recorded the song, featuring her nephew on drums and backing vocals from Jack’s sister Molly’s school, St Anne’s National School in Ardclough, Co Kildare.
The single, simply titled ‘Jack’ was officially launched yesterday and will be available for download via pollyoloughlin.bandcamp.com/track/jack. It is also on sale in Tower records and Avoca stores in Dublin and Wicklow.
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