by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Sartell Sabre Pride was bursting at the seams during Homecoming Week, and a big part of that pride extended to Jackson Stewart, a Sartell third-grader suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which he was diagnosed with five years ago.
The Sartell Sabres decided to help Jackson through the Make-a-Wish Foundation by making one of his dreams come true – his dream to own and to drive a “kitty-kat” golf cart. Jackson is a huge fan of cats and kittens. Another reason for the cart is because of his disease; Jackson often has trouble walking. He said he would love to be able to drive the cart around his neighborhood, so he can visit friends.
The Sabres sold homecoming T-shirts, school buttons and pom-poms at half time during the football game with proceeds going toward Jackson’s wish.
The Make-a-Wish project for Jackson was initiated by the Sartell High School Student Council, and then many more people became involved in the good cause. The goal is to raise $6,500 to honor Jackson’s wish. As of Oct. 4, the Make-a-Wish website showed so far $3,825 was raised.
Jackson, a third-grader at Oak Ridge Elementary School, is the son of two teachers in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District – father Josh Stewart, a special-education teacher at Sartell High School, and mother Kat Stewart, a science teacher at Sartell Middle School. (Jackson has a brother, Owen, and a sister, Jocelyn.)
In a video of Jackson and his family in their yard, two Sartell High School seniors interviewed family members and Jackson. The video can be seen online at vimeo.com/isd748.
Jackson said he’s not too particular about what his kitty-kat golf cart would look like, although he does love the colors red, blue and green. The hardest part about the disease he endures is it makes running, walking, jumping and lifting heavy things difficult.
(His parents described Jackson as a “little goofball,” shy at first but quickly warming to others. He’s also very artistic and very observant. One time, he held up a piece of cheese he was eating and said, “Look, mommy, this is shaped like the state of Kentucky.” And sure enough, it was.)
Gradually, though, the family adjusted to the day-to-day reality of Jackson’s illness. Fortunately, Jackson is quite healthy, considering, for the time being. He goes now and then for some experimental treatments in the Twin Cities, usually about once a month.
DuChenne muscular dystrophy is a disease that causes muscular degeneration, and life expectancy is generally from 20 to 25 years. So far, there is no cure, though experimental treatments are being tried and research continues.
“All we can be is hopeful,” said his mother, Kat. “That’s all we can do is try our best.”
“It’s our ‘normal,’” father Josh added.
The Stewarts had high praise for Jackson’s teacher, Mrs. Frederickson, and for the high-school student council who started the Make-a-Wish efforts. The family said it also wants to thank their friends and neighbors for so much support it has received throughout the years.
To donate to Jackson’s Make-a-Wish dream, go to the following website: site.wish.org/goto/jacksonswish.
The Stewart family is comprised of (left to right) father Josh, mother Kat, and children Jackson, Owen and Jocelyn.
