CEO donates money to help pay for 9-year-old’s prosthetics

ROME, Ga. (WSB) — An Atlanta family no longer has to worry about affording new artificial limbs for its 9-year-old son.

Jaxon Lewis was born with a rare disability that causes arms or legs to be too short or missing. Lewis' right leg is shortened. He has no left leg and a shortened right arm.

Lewis’ new limbs are ready and waiting for him in Atlanta, but the insurance that was going to cover the $70,000 cost was cancelled earlier this year. The young boy's Medicaid coverage suddenly ended in March when his stepfather's income exceeded the allowable limit.

“It's really unfair. He works to support and provide for his family but there are still days that we struggle,” his mother, Jessica Noles, said. "We're not too poor and we're not too rich, just stuck in the middle. We are average.”

The family’s private insurance won’t pay for the prosthetics either. The family said doctors have stressed the importance of getting the artificial limbs soon to prevent future medical complications. They've held several fundraisers, including selling special “Team Jaxon” T-shirts.

“Since they help me I'm going to pray for them and hope they have good days,” Lewis said about the people who’ve made donations to his cause.

Thursday, WSBTV reported that the family had raised only about half the money needed and that donations started to dwindle.

After the first story about Jaxon aired on television, the CEO of a Georgia-based Kids R Kids Learning Academies contacted WSBTV and said he wanted to help the family. Kids R Kids promised to make a donation that will cover the remaining cost of Jaxon’s prosthetics.

“I’m speechless,” Noles told WSBTV after she learned the cost would be covered.

Lewis said the best part of getting his new limbs is he’ll be able to play football with his friends.

The family is still planning to hold the fundraisers they already have planned to cover Lewis' other medical costs.

You can help the family by making a donation on their GoFundMe page. Find out more on their Facebook page, Trax for Jax.

Cox Media Group