Tahmoor’s Katelyn and Jason Wood plan Bangkok trip to get stem cell treatment for 4yo son

Just four years old, little Austin Wood has spent more than 500 hours of his life in a range of therapies, but now his parents are looking overseas to get the help they need to improve his quality of life.

Katelyn Wood with her son Austin.

At just four years old, one little Macarthur boy has faced more hardship than many could ever imagine, but he never lets that stop him from smiling.

Tahmoor couple Katelyn and Jason Wood’s son Austin was born in March 2019 and, due to traumatic birth, suffered a significant brain injury, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.

He spent his first month in the neonatal intensive care unit fighting for his life in a critical condition, and it was only after seven days of intensive care that Jason and Katelyn were finally able to hold their little boy for the first time.

“Due to Austin’s brain injury, he was diagnosed with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy along with Epilepsy and Dystonia,” Mrs Wood said.

“Austin has minimal movement in his body, which means he struggles to control his head, legs and arms.

“Due to his poor [torso] control, Austin cannot swallow food or drink safely, which means he has to be tube fed.”

Austin and his dad Jason.

Austin Wood has undergone hours of therapy.

Since his birth, Austin and his family have participated in various therapies to improve his quality of life.

“His body has worked harder than an average adult over the past four years, completing well over 500 hours of a range of different therapies,” Mrs Wood said.

“It’s been tough watching our little boy go through this, but he’s a fighter. He is always smiling, no matter what he goes through.”

But now, the family have set their sights on stem cell treatment to help improve his quality of life.

Austin Wood.

However, their only option is to go overseas for a month to Bangkok, which means they will need to spend tens of thousands to cover the costs.

“The stem cell treatment is not available in Australia, and we are not eligible for the trials,” Mrs Wood said.

“We want to do this as it could help improve his quality of life.”

A GoFundMe to help the Wood family on their mission has already raised more than $20,000, a third of their goal $60,000.

Mrs Wood said she was overwhelmed by all the support the community had shown. For more information, click here.