Mum gets very special care

Jaylen needs full-time care from mum Katie Cornish. 165607 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

A birth defect means Endeavour Hills six-year-old Jaylen Cornish requires 24-hour care.
And thanks to Very Special Kids, Jaylen’s mother Katie can take a break.
The single mum first turned to the charity for emotional support and respite care when Jaylen was four years old after he had been born with his intestines protruding from his body, a condition known as gastroschesis.
“The hospice is like a vacation for Jaylen, he loves all the attention he gets from the nurses and going for walks in the garden,” Ms Cornish said.
“It also means I can get some time off which is really important.
“Having a sick child means you have to give up a lot of things.
“I love sport but I can’t play it as much – however, when Jaylen’s staying at the hospice I can, which is an amazing help.”
Very Special Kids CEO Michael Wasley said the hospice was more than 20 years old and needed an upgrade.
A group of 40 senior business executives hope that getting on their bikes will help to fund the renovation.
Chain Reaction signed up to ride more than 1000 kilometres, from Sydney to Brisbane, from 11 to 17 March.
Their fund-raising aim was $1 million to share between Very Special Kids, the Starlight Children’s Foundation and other children’s charities.
“By sponsoring a Chain Reaction rider, you are helping to support this upgrade to ensure our hospice continues to meet all individual family needs well into the future,” Mr Wasley said.
Visit chain-reaction.org.au to sponsor a rider or to make a donation.