Meet Salim: A Little Fighter with Big Dreams

Salim is a bright, cheerful 1.5-year-old with an infectious love for ASMR sounds and musical toys. Despite the many challenges he has faced in his young life, his smile remains constant.

A Miraculous Beginning 

Born 24 weeks premature in March 2023, Salim entered the world with underdeveloped lungs and severe pulmonary hypertension. Within two weeks of his birth, he was battling sepsis and severe edema. His condition was so critical that doctors prepared his parents, Lianah and Haiqal, for the worst. 

But against all odds, Salim pulled through, earning the nickname “miracle baby” from the NICU team.

A Journey of Resilience 

Salim spent eight months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), enduring a series of life-threatening conditions, including a liver abscess, brain bleed, pneumonia, and a partial lung collapse. He underwent a tracheostomy surgery to manage his severe pulmonary hypertension and needed another two months of recovery in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Finally, in January 2024, at 10 months old, Salim was discharged—attached to an oxygen machine 24/7. Though home at last, his journey was far from over.

Steps Towards Progress

Due to his multiple medical conditions, Salim’s development has been delayed. He has moderate hypotonia and general weakness in all his muscle groups, along with stiff reflexes in his legs which make moving and sitting more difficult for him.

In June 2024, he began physiotherapy to strengthen his muscles and improve his mobility.

Since starting therapy, Salim has made meaningful progress:

– Increased exercise tolerance and stamina

– Improved core strength and trunk stability

– Ability to stay in the prone position for longer periods

– Better dynamic balance when sitting

– Pushing himself from lying to standing with assistance

– Holding a kneeling position with arm support for up to 30 seconds

His physiotherapist’s next goals include improving his sitting posture and balance within a month and helping Salim gain independent crawling skills within six months.

A Family’s Dedication    

Lianah and Haiqal are devoted parents who pour their hearts into Salim’s daily care. Lianah left her full-time administrative job to become Salim’s full-time caregiver, while Haiqal works hard as the family’s sole provider.

While they manage to cover their basic needs, the cost of Salim’s physiotherapy sessions—$260 per week—is beyond their reach.

How You Can Make a Difference 

Ray of Hope aims to raise $6,240* to cover six months of physiotherapy for Salim. With your support, Salim can continue his weekly therapy sessions, giving him the best chance at a brighter future.

* Update: We are happy to share that the campaign goal has been extended to $12,960 to continue supporting Salim’s journey for an additional six months!

Lianah and Haiqal actively continue Salim’s exercises at home to reinforce his progress:

– Encouraging Salim to spend time lying in the prone position during waking hours.

– Performing core muscle strengthening exercises.

– Engaging Salim in sensory play to improve his limb mobility.

– Facilitating “squat to stand” activities to strengthen his legs.

Your kindness can help ease their journey and ensure Salim receives the vital care he needs to thrive. Together, let’s give Salim the gift of strength and mobility—one step, one milestone at a time.