Jesse and John Davidson during their trek across Ontario. /via jessesjourney.com
Special people get special memorials. Jesse Davidson was a very special person.
November marks twelve years since Jesse passed away and the 7-year anniversary of Jesse’s Garden, a garden in London dedicated to Jesse Davidson and his courageous, strong, and resilient life.
Who is Jesse Davidson?
Born in 1980, Jesse Davidson was the middle of 3 sons to John and Sherene Davidson.
Jesse led a normal life until he was six-years-old. That’s when his life, as well as John’s and Sherene’s, would change forever.
When Jesse was six, his parents observed as he struggled with basic mobility, such as climbing the stairs in his home. Unsure of what to do, they decided to bring Jesse in to see medical professionals. After a long period of constant tests and many different referrals, the Davidson’s finally had an answer to Jesse’s worsening condition.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?
As described by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. This specific form of muscular dystrophy forces the body’s muscles to become weaker rather than stronger as its carrier grows, hence why Jesse’s case was observed at age six, an age considered old to first experience symptoms.
Duchenne primarily affects boys, but is rarely found in girls. As the disorder affects the body’s muscles, it eventually reaches the respiratory muscles meaning its carriers have a lowered life expectancy.
Jesse’s Journey
Getting news that a loved one is sick, or won’t live a ‘normal’ life is never easy. John Davidson received this news about his second son. As to be expected, he was distraught.
“In the flick of an eye, your world turns upside down and life becomes different. There are several feelings that go by, you cry, you blame yourself a little bit, and eventually you come to the realization that all of this bitterness and anger are not going to accomplish anything.”
In a time of hurt, John was able to find a glimpse of opportunity. An opportunity to help.
While deciding to help is easy, finding how is the hard part. Some people would choose to do small forms of charity, that didn’t appeal to John.
“We could probably have held car washes and bake sales until hell froze over,” jokes John. “It wasn’t going to make a difference.”
The father knew he had to do something big. The only thing he could think of? The Terry Fox run. That’s where Jesse’s Journey begins.
An admirer of everything Terry Fox had accomplished, at the age of 49, John embarked on a life changing journey.
In the summer of 1995, John began his trek across Ontario with his son alongside him in a wheelchair. The 3,339 kilometre adventure raised John and Jesse’s Journey measly $1.5 million. $1.5 million is by no means measly, but to John it wasn’t enough.
In 1998, John ventured again, this time across Canada; from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The second adventure, ranging 8,300 kilometres, raised Jesse’s Journey $2 million in grassroots donations.
That amount has now risen to over $13 million supporting the research being done to find a treatment or cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Jesse’s memorial in Jesse’s Garden, London, Ontario. /via jessesjourney.com
The Garden
In November of 2014, Jesse’s Journey dedicated a garden to their late son who had passed away five years prior, Jesse’s Garden. Located in Jesse Davidson Park in London, the garden is not only a celebration of Jesse’s life, but also the memorial of every other person who has been lost to Duchenne.
Jesse Davidson passed away on November 6, 2009, a symbol of courage, a symbol of strength, and true representation of the phrase “anything’s possible”.
Comments