Juggling for Jack: How the Zip Zap circus helped a six-year-old boy

Jack was born with a rare, neuro-degenerative condition known as progressive encephalopathy with edema, hypsarrhythmia and optic atrophy, which requires 24 hour care. The condition has left Jack with no muscle control and he suffers from daily seizures and spasms, which have left him mentally and physically disabled.

Zip Zap hosted the show to raise funds for Jack’s medical costs and to show support to his family.

The Zip Zap dome was packed at the weekend for a fundraiser in support of severely disabled Jack Bain. Photo by Mary-Anne Gontsana

He sat in the middle of the crowd, a colourful balloon attached to his wheelchair, with the words “Thank you” on it.

Zip Zap’s Marcelle Richards said the fundraiser was a huge success. “Jack’s family were initially expecting to sell about 200 tickets, but they sold around 750. The support for Jack was overwhelming. His medical bills are expensive and he was told that he needed a new wheelchair so we are happy that the event turned out the way it did,” said Richards.

Jack Bain sat in the audience with a balloon. Photo by Mary-Anne Gontsana.

The show was opened by energetic youngsters on a trampoline, doing a variety of stunts, as small children seated next to the stage watched in amazement and laughed. The crowd was also treated to jugglers, trapeze artists, contortionists, comedians and the magic of the cyr wheel, which looks like a big silver hula hoop that a person can spin in.

Contortion was one of the acts done by the young Zip Zap performers. Photo by Mary-Anne Gontsana

Zip Zap was founded in 1992 and works with a diverse community of children between seven and 12 years old, as well as young people over 16 who are interested in a circus career. The training is free and the organisation is funded by individuals, organisations, companies and foundations.