Hudson Chadwick’s family fundraise for terminally ill son’s bucket list

A Queensland family has vowed to give their terminally ill boy as many adventures as possible and will do all they can to help him make it to his birthday in just a few weeks.

The Chadwick family, Hudson, Xavier, Phoebe, Claire and Mick.

The loving family of a young boy with a rare genetic disorder are fundraising to take him on a bucket list of adventures while they still can.

Hudson Chadwick, 12, is one of only 100 people in the world with D2 hydroxyglutaric aciduria (D2HGA), a disorder that left him wheelchair bound, non-verbal and dependent on around-the-clock care.

Hudson’s mother Claire Chadwick said his condition deteriorated in recent weeks.

“He was enduring above and beyond what a child should,” Ms Chadwick said.

The family had “lots of chats” with doctors and specialists, and were eventually told he was entering the “end of life” stage, she said.

“They all came to the conclusion that his brain wants to fight but his organs are giving up,” his mother said.

“His doctor who’s known him his whole life sat us down and told us we needed to go make a bucket list and do things as a family.”

Hudson with his parents, Mick and Claire.

Hudson is part of a family of five. He has two older siblings, Xavier, 17, and Phoebe, 19, and two loving parents in Mrs Chadwick and her husband, Mick Chadwick.

The family runs on one income, so funding this bucket list was going to be tricky.

In the hopes of getting some financial support from the community, Mrs Chadwick started a GoFundMe.

To her surprise, the fundraiser had already raised more than $5000.

“We’re really overwhelmed by the support,” Ms Chadwick said.

“It’s been a really tough few weeks so this has been amazing.”

Hudson with his siblings Phoebe and Xavier.

Mrs Chadwick said she was “so grateful” for the way the community had rallied around Hudson and the family.

“I would just love to thank everyone,” she said.

On August 22, Hudson will turn 13. Mrs Chadwick said the goal was to help Hudson make it to his birthday and as many bucket list items as possible before then.

So far, Hudson’s bucket list includes a SeaWorld dolphin experience, Australia Zoo, Bluey World, a ride on a Bluey or Bingo themed City Cat in Brisbane, getting wheeled out by the Rabbitohs or a Brisbane footy team, a trip to the beach in the family’s four-wheel-drive, a jersey raffle, a farm stay, and a trip to Dreamworld.

The family will document Hudson’s bucket list on his Facebook page.

Additionally, Mrs Chadwick said anyone who wanted to send words of encouragement or cards for Hudson could do so by reaching out on that Facebook page.

Originally published as Hudson Chadwick’s family fundraise for terminally ill son’s bucket list