Our unique bond

Zoe tells of the mother the shock of whose child being saved told her his life. healthy child had suffered liver failure and the unique bond she shares with I had no idea that my son had a liver condition. Jordan was a healthy, energetic eight year-old when he was rushed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital with chest pains. After about a week of tests,, we were told he had liver failure. It was the most awful shock. Doctors explained that he had Wilsons disease, and that a liver transplant was his only hope. Jordan was placed on the emergency transplant list and a match was found just 24 hours later. Jordan’s transplant was a success. We were overwhelmed with relief, but , I couldn’t imagine the pain which another family were going through. I wanted this family to know that their selfless gesture had given my son his life back, so I wrote to them immediately via the transplant co-ordinator. I was delighted to receive a reply from Fiona, mum of Ryan, an 11 year-old boy, who had died suddenly of a brain aneurysm. It was to be the start of a wonderful friendship. Fiona and I started to exchange letters . We learned of lots of similarities between the two boys and Fiona told me it brought her comfort to know that Jordan was doing well. Four years after Jordan’s transplant, our two families met for the first time. It was amazing to finally meet..

I first heard about CLDF in those first few weeks in hospital but to be honest, there was just too much going on for me to engage. It was a bit later, after Jordan’s transplant, that I spoke to members of the support team who explained how they could give information and practical advice. As Jordan improved , we started fundraising for CLDF and for Birmingham Children’s Hospital – it was just very close to our hearts.

Jordan showed early interest in studying medicine!

Jordan with Zoe and Eon, his flatmate and revision buddy

Fiona (left) and Zoe Jordan had always been bright and enquiring.. When he showed an interest in studying Medicine we said “Well you can do anything you put your mind to” - and he did!

Just over ten years after his transplant, Jordan started at University of Liverpool Medical School. It’s a five-year course, but he decided to do a Masters (Philosophy in Child Health) so he is now completing his doctor’s training after six years. It has certainly been more of a challenge with COVID to deal with too but touch wood, he has remained in excellent health. I’m sure that Jordan’s own experiences in hospital have influenced his desire to be a paediatrician (another eight years’ training!) One of his university placements was at a children’s hospital in New Zealand and he found it a wonderful experience. He seems to have a superb bedside manner anyway, probably because he can remember what it is like to be a poorly child in the bed.

I know we have been lucky. Ryan s' liver seemed to attach to Jordan's very well and I remember Dr McKiernan saying they have joined in a unique way. I have Ryan's rugby shirt, we have photos of Ryan around the home and on the second Sunday in December every year, we light a candle outside for all the children in heaven. Fiona will always be my amazing angel and we are in touch regularly.

I hope Jordan’s story can give hope to someone else. I remember during the very worrying, tough times someone saying to me "oh I know someone who had a liver transplant 20 years ago and they're doing great. " That helped me such a lot to remain positive.

I couldn t' be more proud of Jordan - for his values, ethics, hard work and determination. I will never forget those testing, worrying times but remain grateful to every single person who supported him and us - doctors, nurses, CLDF, restaurant staff making his special sausage and chips and the absolutely fabulous play specialists at Birmingham Children’s Hospital who made each day bearable.