Why Child Trauma Cover Matters: Jackson’s Story

One-year-old Jackson woke up grizzly, and at first, we thought it was just a cold or a touch of flu. Within hours, everything changed.

Jackson suddenly became very sick. He was rushed to Starship Hospital where his condition deteriorated further. He had Meningococcal Septicaemia.

Doctors had to place him in an induced coma for a week in PICU. When he finally came out, he faced another week on the ward and then a long road at home, relearning how to walk after losing muscle control.

We were lucky — the septicaemia hadn’t reached his limbs. But there were countless follow-up appointments, tests, and constant care. What began as a “normal” morning quickly became a month-long journey of survival, recovery, and resilience.

The Financial Shock We Didn’t See Coming

The emotional toll was immense. But so too was the practical reality — taking time off work, covering bills, and providing full-time care. As parents, we wanted to be at Jackson’s side every step of the way, not juggling finances or worrying about what we could afford.

This is where one small but important decision made all the difference.

The Cover We Never Knew We Needed

When Jackson was born, John Penberthy recommended adding Child Trauma Cover to our medical insurance policy for just a few extra dollars a month, and I mean just a few. We’d never even heard of child trauma cover, but we thought we may as well add it in just in case. So, we took John’s advice.

We’re so grateful we did.

When Jackson got sick, we got a lump sum payout.  It meant we could both take the time off work we needed, and we needed a lot of time – like a month.  The payout covered our bills, relieved financial pressure, and let us focus 100% on Jackson’s recovery.

It meant we could be exactly where we needed to be, by Jackson’s side.  Without it, we would have been in a very different and difficult position.

Why More Parents Should Know About It

As a parent you always think, this is probably never going to happen to us and then you wake up one day and your whole world has changed.

I know my view is clouded because of what we went through, but I do see it as an absolutely essential cover.  Unfortunately, it is lesser known.  People often take out life insurance for themselves, but many don’t realise you can take out cover for your kids as well.  But it’s equally as world shifting if something happens to your kids.

Jackson is now 11 and is a happy kid who loves joking around, a trait he shares with his father. It feels like a lifetime ago it happened, but the memories are still fresh, as if it happened yesterday.

One Small Yet Important Decision That Can Make A World Of Difference

Because he’s had the cover since he was a baby, he’s covered for everything.  Rather than finding out, as a young adult that any health conditions suffered as you’re growing up are now exclusions on your insurance policy, if you’ve had Child Trauma in place since birth everything is covered.

We didn’t know this cover existed until someone we trusted suggested it. Child Trauma Cover is affordable, powerful, practical and, in my opinion, essential.  It’s like a lifeline when the worst happens. Because when you wake up one morning and your whole world changes, it’s a relief to know you’re not facing it alone.

Nothing is more important than being able to care for your kids when they need you most.