Meet Our Patient Ambassadors

Jack is the kind of kid who lights up a room. He plays baseball as both a pitcher and first baseman, holds his own on the soccer field as a defender and goalkeeper, and spends his free time surfing and snowboarding. He enjoys school, is an avid reader, loves dogs, and is the kind of friend and teammate everyone is lucky to have. 

Jack’s journey with Nemours Children’s began when he was barely three. His family noticed some unexpectedly fast developmental changes and set out to find answers and the right care. That journey led them to Nemours Children’s Health. 

“Nemours Children’s has never treated Jack as just a patient,” says Jack’s mom. “They’ve treated him as a whole child.” 

Clinic visits weren’t always easy for Jack, but Charlie, one of the therapy animals in the assisted dog and pony therapy (ADAPT) program at Nemours Children’s, Jacksonville, changed that. 

From sitting with him during appointments to helping him stay calm through difficult moments, Charlie brought Jack comfort. In turn, Jack learned to regulate his own emotions to keep Charlie calm — a small but meaningful milestone his family will never forget. 

Jack is proud to be a Nemours Children’s Patient Ambassador and hopes his story reminds other families that they are not alone. “We couldn’t be more grateful,” says Jack’s mom. 

Molly and Travis Hudson have three children: Tyler (12), Jordan (10), and Jamison (3). Jordan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on August 31st, 2020, at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leading up to the diagnosis, Molly and her family noticed alarming changes in Jordan’s health. His weight dropped from 78 pounds the previous Christmas to just 54 pounds by August 2020. Molly also observed excessive thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue, prompting her to research potential causes, which led her to suspect type 1 diabetes.

On the morning of their appointment, Travis voiced the family’s concerns to Dr. Hunter, their Nemours Children’s pediatrician in Orlando. After hearing about Jordan's symptoms and what he had eaten that morning, Dr. Hunter tested his blood sugar. The result was over 750—a dangerously high level—and the family was immediately directed to the Nemours Children’s ER in Orlando. In the ER, they learned that Jordan was in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious condition that develops when the body no longer produces enough insulin. If they had waited any longer, the built-up sugar in Jordan’s body could have resulted in organ failure, coma, or seizures. After three days in the hospital, Jordan was finally heading home with answers and a plan to manage his new diagnosis.

Fast forward two years, and the family was looking to move to Jacksonville. Fortunately, there is a Nemours Children’s location in downtown Jacksonville, where they could transfer their care and continue managing Jordan’s diabetes with Nemours Children’s endocrinologists.

During one of their appointments at Nemours Children’s Health in Jacksonville, Molly was given information about the Jacksonville DiaBesties Camp, which was taking place that summer. Given the high cost of other camps, often upwards of $1,000, Molly was incredibly grateful that Nemours Children’s was able to offer this camp at no cost to patients and their families.

At Jacksonville DiaBesties Camp, Jordan found it incredibly impactful to be surrounded by other kids who share his diagnosis. On the first day, he told his mom, "It's crazy, I feel normal here." The camp's structured environment, where everyone had to dose before meals, check blood sugar, and count carbs, made him feel included rather than isolated. The activities and snacks were tailored specifically for children with diabetes, making the experience both educational and relatable for him.

Jordan also shared that he wishes there was a school where everyone has diabetes, so he doesn’t have to explain his condition to anyone. Kids at his school have gotten him in trouble for having his phone out to check his sugar and have even said hurtful things like, “Don't touch him, or you'll get his disease.” At Jacksonville DiaBesties Camp, Jordan didn’t have to think twice about how others might perceive his condition. In fact, his fellow campers inspired him to improve his diabetes care by switching to the Tandem device, which is smaller and more user-friendly. Jordan can now place the pod on his arm or leg without needing help from his mom or dad to monitor his sugar throughout the day.

Jordan came home with a smile on his face every single day. He loved connecting with everyone at camp, including the campers, counselors, doctors, and nurses.