Jamin Feist and Tamara Hagel have been the rock of strength for baby Atticus, and they believe a miracle is coming. A fundraiser for the family is being held at Swiller’s Pond Petting Farm on Wednesday, July 1. Admission is by donation. Photo by Michelle Regner.
You may not believe in miracles, but for one Oliver couple, their baby is going to be the miracle they need.
They just know it.
First-time parents Jamin Feist and Tamara Hagel were so unbelievably happy and “over the moon” when Atticus was born on November 25, 2014. They were also planning their wedding, so it was going to be a year to remember.
But only a few months later they were given the most heartbreaking news that no parent should ever hear.
At four months of age, Atticus was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type 1, the most severe type of this disease to which there is no cure.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a muscular development disease, making muscles extremely weak. It has recently affected Atticus’s muscle system for sucking, swallowing and digesting food.
He was recently given a feeding tube to ensure that he receives the proper nutrients he needs to keep his strength up.
A common cold could be fatal, so mom and dad have to limit his exposure to people.
Atticus is under care by a top neurologist at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.
Atticus has been accepted into a study in which they are testing a new drug to hopefully cure this dreadful disease, or to slow the effects of muscle weakness.
This study is giving the family renewed hope. Jamin and Tamara feel so blessed that their baby has been accepted into the study. Atticus is reportedly the first baby in western Canada to be involved in this treatment.
Atticus underwent screening in early June and will have to make countless trips to Vancouver.
This makes it very hard financially for Jamin and Tamara. Jamin is trying to keep up with his job to support his family, but it’s hard when his son needs to be in Vancouver all the time.
Tamara isn’t leaving her son’s side; she is with him 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Everyone is very optimistic. We all think he’s going to be our miracle baby. There has been so much tragedy in our family that we need a miracle to bring us out of this slump.”
Tamara said Atticus is happy and feeling good right now, and shows no signs of slowing down.
“He’s moving his arms quite a bit, but he doesn’t hold his head up, which is a problem.”
But every time they take him to see the doctor, “he surprises them,” Tamara pointed out.
For Jamin and Tamara, life with Atticus is one day at a time.
“If you look too far in the future that’s when hopelessness kicks in,” she said.
Tamara gets emotional when she talks about the “phenomenal” support that the community of Oliver has shown.
For example, at a recent fundraiser at the Osoyoos Indian Band hall, they raised $7,000 in one night.
“It has been overwhelming,” Tamara said.
The couple needs enough money so they can spend as much time as possible with Atticus.
Baby “Atty” has been called a real “fighter” because he amazes people every day with his strength and happiness.
One friend of the family said Atty chose Jamin and Tamara for a reason, and he’s “going to be our miracle.”
Local business owner Stacey Eckenswiller of Swiller’s Pond Petting Farm was asked to donate some passes for a fundraiser. But she wanted to do more than that.
She is hosting a barbecue on Wednesday, July 1 beginning at noon. There will be no admission to the farm, and all of the donations will go directly to Atticus and family. The farm is located just north of Oliver (7841 Highway 97).
A special fund for the family has been established at Valley First Credit Union in Oliver. To make a donation, just refer to the “Atticus account.”
