An eight-year-old boy with terminal cancer has put his dream of skydiving on his bucket list.
Paxton Idell was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2021 when he was 5 years old and after intense treatment he was cancer-free for a year, but it came back and is now terminal.
His parents, Kristian and Amanda, have been trying to help him have as many life experiences as he can in the little time he has left.
Kristian told WTSP: “Given his condition, it’s hard for us to say no to anything.”
This weekend, Paxton traveled to Castroville, Texas, to fulfill his dream of skydiving.
Paxton Idell was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2021 when he was 5 years old, after intense treatment he was cancer-free for a year, but it came back and is now terminal.
Paxton’s mother, Amanda, told WTSP, “After intensive chemotherapy, he ended up cancer-free for about a year.” And then on April 5, 2023, she relapsed.”
He said a relapse of his type of brain cancer is terminal.
But he added that his prognosis won’t stop his son from accomplishing everything on his wish list.
When she asked to go skydiving, Amanda said, “The words she said to me were, ‘I’ve never done that in my entire life.'”
‘And my mother’s heart just skipped a beat. And that really set the precedent for everything that has happened since.”
It was a difficult item to put on the wish list as there are many regulations around children and safety.
Amanda said: “In America they are very strict about children under 18 skydiving.” Therefore, it is about involving lawyers and equipment manufacturers.”
The family traveled to Castroville to meet tandem skydiving instructor Noah Watts.
Paxton traveled to Castroville, Texas, to fulfill his dream of skydiving with his parents
In addition to skydiving, Paxton has already gone paragliding and been to the zoo, and the family is determined to tick more boxes.
Watts said: “I hope he gets everything he wants.”
“This is definitely a leap of passion for him.”
Kristian decided to jump with his son and boarded the plane with him, where his mother said he wasn’t even afraid.
The family wrote on Facebook: ‘This child is not afraid. Paxton, cool as a cucumber, even started to fall asleep on the plane.
Video of the incredible moment was captured on camera and showed Paxton smiling as he spun in the air.
In addition to skydiving, Paxton has already gone paragliding and been to the zoo, and the family is determined to tick more boxes.
A GoFundMe to help the family with medical bills has raised $3,000.
