In some ways, it feels like just yesterday that I picked up this cute, cuddly little sugar glider with a broken back. Then there are other times that I feel that we have walked a lifetime together. One thing is for sure – my life has never been the same since I met Jackie Chan.

For those unfamiliar with his story, you can read more here:http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/...ter#Post1037257

Another year has passed since I last updated about Jackie. What a year it has been! Jackie Chan still lives with Daiquiri and still amazes me with his agility and zest for life. He has a new-found love for trying to tail carry, which is sometimes sad because he is both paralyzed and has no tail, but it has allowed me to help him carry a bounty of things to his pouch and build a nest for his lady love and is a reminder to me that HE does not think he is disabled in any way. He has had some follow up x-rays and has made an appearance at Dr. Walsh’s office to help teach some veterinary students from OSU. He continues to overgroom his head repeatedly (anxiety). In addition, He has tried out both the glider treadmill and a monkey cliner for the first time. He loves his cliners!



After about 3 years of no emergency visits, my stomach dropped shortly before Christmas when I found Jackie with a swollen face. My first thought was that it was an abscess, and I have dealt with many abscesses, so no big deal. My biggest concern was that, for the first time in his life, Jackie Chan was ACTING sick. No other issue that he has faced has ever slowed him down, but with this, he was lethargic, not eating well and all around grumpy. I was a worried momma! I got Jackie to Dr. Walsh and was surprised and saddened to hear that it was NOT an abscess.

This is not the worst he looked, but it gives you some idea. These photos were after 5 days of treatment.


Jackie Chan had developed osteomyelitis (an infection in the bone) of his cheek bone. It was advanced such that the infection had eroded a portion of his cheek bone and his entire head was swelling. Osteomyelitis is serious and is difficult to treat in sugar gliders. I have treated it only once before. Once again, Dr. Walsh saves the day by problem solving the issue and introducing another medication into our repertoire for use in unusual situations. Jackie Chan was treated with injections (which he could not feel) for 12 days and recovered WONDERFULLY!

Here he is 9 days into his treatment


Today, Jackie is back to acting like his normal, adventurous, loving, energetic self. We are looking forward to another year of learning and loving together !

Here is my little guy in action throughout the year

What a beautiful story! 5 years - what memories that little guy is creating for you! Congratulations Val for being a wonderful "Suggie Momma"

Go Jackie Chan!! That is awesome too bad he had a painful looking situation with that side of his face and eye this year but y'all got through it, amazing!!! Y'all are Amazing!

Thank you for the update. I love it!!!!
His zest for life shows through, he seems to always be in action. I am glad to hear he has found a lady friend. He's a insperation, I'm glad the cheek issue resolved itself and he is back to normal.
Cosmo came through his nueter great. He has been in with other gliders and climbed all over the cage. I was shocked at his agility and how well he got around their cage. We rushed to hang hammocks to protect him from falls. He, like your little guy doesn't know he is handicapped.

I love hearing updates about Jackie Chan. He is truly an amazing glider and an ispiration to everyone trying to overcome obstacles. I'm so glad his bone infection healed up...that looks like it was awful...poor lil guy.

Jackie Chan truly is such an inspiration, as are you Val! He's very lucky to have such a wonderful momma to look out for him! I hope I get to meet this cutie one day

Go Jackie Chan!! Go Val!!

Thank you so much for sharing your stories, and for your inspiration!

Since he believes nothing can stop him, nothing can!!

What a brave, loving, wonderful little man you have!!

Oh my gosh that is amazing!!
You are so wonderful for not giving up on him!

Way to go Jackie Chan! Your an angel Val!

Jackie Chan you are amazing and we all can say Thank You for teaching us more about gliders and about new medical treatments that can be used in gliders. We have learned many thing though these last five years with you and looking forward to many more. Thank you Val for sharing your little man with us

Please give Jackie Chan a special treat from me!

I cry every time I read about this amazing little fella! Val, you are blessed and I pray you continue to be blessed!

When I started to read of his bone infection, my heart dropped and tears filled my eyes. Thankfully, just a few seconds later, my heart jumped for joy!

Jackie is an inspiration to us all. To face such adversity, survive and come back stronger and sweeter than before is his legacy.

Way to go Jackie!

We love you!

Val, your story is amazing and Jackie Chan is a a lucky little guy to have you as his mommy. Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us, and a bit shout out to Dr Walsh - he/she sounds like the best vet!

Holy crap I can barely see I have so many tears in my eyes. I LOVE that he is as zesty and full of life that he is! Yes, you are an inspiration for all of us, thank you!!

This story really touched my hear, Val. I can only imagine the bond the two of you share. Wishing you many happy and healthy years to come...

Thanks for the update. I think of Jackie often, and am always amazed at his, and your strength.

Very nice story!

Jackie Chan

What a wonderful story! Jackie Chan doesn't know how famous he really is! He has a regular fan base here. Love the updates!

OMG what a life he has lived!!! You are both amazing making it through what you have. And he is so adorable without his tail he really does look like a monkey I'm so glad he has a mom like you who is as strong as he is!!!

He may just be the most famous glider

Jackie Chan is an awesome little man Val...does he do V8 commercials, too?

My Cmdr. Riker turned 9 in Dec...both our little guys have beaten the odds Abuse, neglect..amazing what these little ones can survive when they have a reason

So great to hear that he is still pulling through and still with us! You've done such an amazing job!

Jackie is the success story that often times encourages the rest of us to try harder, explore other options, never give up and that giving up on them is not an option for us as long as they have the will to survive and thrive.
Thank you Val & Jackie Chan for inspiring the rest of us!
Love to you & precious little man!

Val - it is stories like yours that warm my heart & give me hope! Thank you for sharing this with all of us!

That made me cry,....and sent me in to love on every single one of mine, even grumpy Kodah.

You are truly blessed.

Oh wow! What a remarkable story. I can't believe what wonders his treatments made! You are definitely an inspiration and I'm sure he greatly appreciates that! You did an amazing job and I bet you two have one great bond.

He is definitely one handsome fella! Amazing.

Val, my heart skipped a beat there for a second. So Glad he is ok.

Hey! It's Jackie's night to play in the tent! Yooo hooo! How come we don't have pictures already?

Waiting....



My thighs are getting fat from all this popcorn. I feel them expanding.

Wanna get a move on and post?

LOL. That's what I get for announcing that I was in the tent with him while we were talking.

I shall get more pics put up as soon as I have time to download them into the computer. Won't be long, I promise!

Hey, don't share it if you don't want me to post it!

Let the expansion commence...

Well, wouldn't want anyone's thighs to suffer any longer! Here are the few pics I snapped before getting distracted.

He's beautiful, as always. Just adore seeing his cute little face. Such a ham

Man, he is such a doll...and a ham! He knows he has fans!

I just love pictures of this little guy. You can snap pics and post them anytime Val. He proves anyone of these little guys is worth the effort. Cosmo has become such the little sweet heart and like you said as capable as I would let him be. If we could only find him a girl friend. He's fallen for Izzy and calls for her, they visit then she goes home to sleep with duke. He goes with me everywhere I can take him and he trust me completely. Pops popcorn like there's 3 gliders in the pouch when he's on my chest, he's my fav little buddy.

Thank you for sharing Jackie Chan's story. Very inspiring!

He's such an adorable glider.
He's so lucky to have you, and you him =]

Val Jackie is just one of those gliders that belongs to all of us. We live for more pic's

I think I can take a hint, Miss KB. So, I shall get more pics for you soon.

As you wish!



A little "out of tent" time. LOL


And, here with a little mommy time (complete with pee on my sleeve)

This is the first I've read about Jackie Chan. I read the thread linked in to get more background on this handsome fella. I have to say that he is living an enriched life despite his physical circumstances, and in doing so is enriching other's lives just by knowing his story. He has courage and will, and apparently a lot of love of life as well as for his mommy and his lady, Daquiri.

Thank you for updating and sharing this story, giving many the opportunity to have their lives enriched.

Oh, how I adore seeing pictures of this handsome man. His mama's kinda cute, too.

Its not playtime or love time until there is pee and poo everywhere.

1 question, how did he get a broken spine?

That's a good question. I don't have an answer. I could make a lot of guesses, but that is all they would be and I don't tend to work that way. He came to me with this injury. When I agreed to take him in, I did not know it was a spinal injury. Because I am a person who does testing instead of just looking at symptoms, we found the spinal injury and were able to start him on his way to recovery pretty quickly. Made some mistakes along the way and learned a ton. So many people here on GC have been very supportive throughout his journey.

thanks for the answer and that would be weird having a glider with an injured spine and not know how it happened. hes been through a lot but still is looking good! oh, and the sugar group birthday party was fun too

Val, its almost 6 years now for jackie Chan, I've kinda heard a little about him thru some of the threads and finally just read the whole story.

He is definitely someone you will pity but be inspired and amazed at what what he had overcome. Im sure most of this is because you were there to support and help him to be the best that he can be. Like you said, he will only be handicapped if you let him be.

This is truly an inspiring story and it still amazes me how this little Suggies can steal our hearts. I can honestly say Im not an animal person because of my severe allergies to cat danders and some dogs. But when I saw my Joey, he stole my heart. I only had him for 15 days but we had bonded so quickly, about a week, and thru all his health issues we had gotten closer that it is still painful for me and still cant help but to cry, everytime I remember him or talk about him.

I am new to this site and its amazing how much support you can get from almost everyone here.

Keep up the good work, I salute you and the Glider Central community!!!

sincerely,
Nancy

When I'm feeling kinda low, i come look at the picture of him on top of Cinderella's castle. Idk why but it cracks me up. I'm so glad he found you.

AWWW. Shannon, that is sweet.
Turns out, when *I* am feeling low, I have some Jackie Chan time too.

It is time for another yearly update. Maybe after the RRRoundup I can find time to summarize the last year.

Im so amazed that you were able to bring him back from the conditions he was out

Like other then his tail and his legs he looks sooooo much better then where he was