Toomsboro Teen Receives a Backyard Makeover

TOOMSBORO, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A young man in Toomsboro suffering from a chronic illness got the surprise of a lifetime on Friday.

Cutting Edge Landscaping has chosen a patient at the Children’s Hospital for its 2nd Annual Backyard Makeover project.

Jonathan Tompkins suffers from Jackhammer Esophagus. It’s a rare condition that causes the muscles in his throat to spasm.

The 16-year-old has been in and out of the hospital for the past two years and hasn’t had the opportunity to hang out with his friends.

His parents, Jimmy and Kay, stood right by his side when he opened the gate to their new backyard. Kay is happy Jonathan will have something to do to take his mind off of the pain.

“Jonathan is really just a good round about kid, the community has been great with us, help support us, kept us in their prayers,” Kay said. “We will not be able to get him out of the backyard.”

The new backyard is a baseball fans dream. Jonathan is an Atlanta Braves fan and wants to be a pitcher.

“It feels real good to know that I can come out here and practice anytime I want to and not have to worry about going nowhere and just walk right out the back door and be there,” Jonathan said.

His love of the game is why cutting edge landscaping partnered with Lowe’s and other companies to create a backyard like no other.

Cutting Edge owner Jim Bloodworth’s Roots are in Toomsboro and say watching what Jonathan and his family have gone through, puts life in perspective.

“Everyday you see the good days and the bad and Jonathan having good days and being in pain and then not having such good days and its a roller coaster,” Bloodworth said.

Now Jonathan can go in his backyard with friends to throw the ball around and just be a kid.