Community support was much appreciated by family
Rickey Neal III passed away on May 20th. His story brought the Cleveland Community together and his mother, Jocelyn Watson, said she will never forget the outpouring of support.
When 14-year-old Rickey Neal III had open-heart surgery early in February, doctors were hopeful he would heal and begin living life as an ordinary child who can run and play with his friends — something he was never able to do.
Rickey was born with Pulmonary Atresia, a congenital heart defect. As a result, he endured multiple open-heart surgeries throughout his life.
Jocelyn said she was unaware there was anything wrong with her baby’s health throughout her pregnancy.
At what was supposed to be a routine 2-month check up, doctors found that Rickey had a heart murmur.
They were sent to Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson, where he received his Pulmonary Atresia diagnosis.
“It’s hard for oxygen to support the entire heart. Half of one lung worked, the other didn’t at all,” said Watson, adding this affected his vital organs. “The oxygen he was receiving was coming from his left lung, which only supported one side of his heart.”
Since that diagnosis as an infant, Rickey underwent four open-heart surgeries — the last being in February.
This most recent surgery was supposed to ensure his oxygen better circulated from his lungs to his heart.
“Before he had this surgery, we were told he would be able to live a normal life as a normal child where he can run and play,” said Watson.
After his surgery in February, doctors were optimistic. Rickey appeared to be doing well and was taken off oxygen support and sent home with his mother in Cleveland.
“Then, everything started going wrong,” said Watson.
Just two weeks later, he began having more breathing complications and was hospitalized again.
Doctors strongly advised against Rickey returning to school, so he was homeschooled until his passing.
Callie Reed, Nurse Practitioner at the Family Medical center in Cleveland, said Rickey was a patient of hers all 12 years she’s worked there.
“He was such a special boy to a lot of people,” said Reed. “He had the best attitude and a very a strong support system with his family.”
Watson did what she could to help Rickey live life to the fullest.
For fun, Rickey enjoyed playing video games with friends and going fishing with his mom.
“I did everything he wanted to do and took him to the places he wanted to go,” said Watson. “It was not always easy because I didn’t have a lot of money because I wasn’t able to work and was on medical leave.
It was not easy to stay optimistic when caring for a sick child,” said Watson.
She said their support system came from all over, but especially from her father and aunt.
Cleveland Central Middle School on May 2 shared to their Facebook page that they spent the day honoring Rickey.
“This has been a difficult journey for both Rickey and his mother, and we are truly inspired by their courage. Rickey wanted to see his friends and teachers — his CCMS school family and we made it happen,” the school shared.
One of Rickey’s dreams was to someday become a police officer. The school brought in officers from the Cleveland Police Department and the Mississippi Highway Patrol to show support and give their encouragement.
“He dreamed of becoming a police officer one day, and we believed in his ability to achieve that goal. We ask that you keep Rickey and his family in your thoughts and prayers, and continue to show them the kindness and encouragement they deserve,” the school stated.
In hopes of a better answer for his future, Watson traveled with Rickey to the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas, to get a second opinion to see if he could qualify for heart and lung transplant. These transplants would have meant a better chance at a normal life. Unfortunately, the news they received in Houston echoed what doctors have in Jackson have said — that it couldn’t be done.
“He was such a strong young man,” said Jocelyn. “I think many people would have given up knowing everything he knew, but he was so good and strong and that makes me happy.”