Dear donors,

I would like to pass on an update on how Joshy has been doing.

In the last few weeks, we have seen a good cognitive leap in Joshy. He understands so much more and we can ask him everyday questions and he will answer us. The questions will always be a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question, but we can also give him more instructions and he can go and fulfill the request without a second reminder. For example, if we tell him to go wake up a family member, he will very happily go to that person’s room and wake them up….usually with a good squeal and bashing!

He is also better at regulating himself. When he starts to get angry and we can see he may become violent, we are able to bring him down easier if we explain to him what we are going to do. He still needs a few reminders to keep him grounded and he doesn’t like it, but he won’t lash out at us so much anymore. I have not been bitten for quite some time, so positive progress there!

I would like to share some potential positive news. We have made contact with a genetics team in The States that designs treatments for nano rare ( less than 30 individuals with that condition worldwide) and offers the treatment for free for life! The medical team and administering of the treatment still need to be financially covered, but the treatment itself can go into the millions! So this is a very rare blessing! After many weeks of communication, Joshy has been tentatively accepted as a potential patient. He will require treatment every 3 months for life, and at the moment, the treatment is only offered in The States.

We have been trying to find a physician there to accept Joshy, but this is quite a challenge as they require us to be in The States, and we are not financially able to pack up and go there. The wonderful team at NUH is very excited about this as if we can bring it to Singapore, then they can help many more patients than Joshy. So, at the moment, the NUH team is working with the US team to see how they can bring it to SG, and if everything goes well, Joshy may receive his first dose by the start of 2025! How the treatment will affect Joshy is unknown, as this medical technology is still very new. But, we are willing to accept the risks if it means Joshy may speak, be able to dress and feed himself, and not wear diapers for life, it is worth it!

Joshy still has a few more months of therapy left from all the funds raised, and I truly believe that his progress would not be so noticeable if it wasn’t for your kindness! As of today, Ray of Hope has disbursed $11,960.00 towards Joshy’s therapy session.

Thank you
Cary and Syamill

Dear donors

Ray of Hope cannot thank you enough for your donation to Joshua’s campaign! We have made payment of $6,000 to the therapy vendor and Joshua has started his ABA therapy last month. Joshua’s parents has written an update regarding Joshua’s progress since the start of his therapy.

“We would like to send out the biggest, most humbled appreciation to everyone who showed kindness and donates to our campaign for Joshy. We can’t believe the outpouring of love for our little man and we just cannot thank you enough.

Joshy has started his ABA therapy and has had sessions for 3 weeks already. In this short span of time, he has already shown progress. We always knew that Joshy had the ability to learn, he just needed the right tools and an education geared to his abilities.

Here are a few things we have noticed:
– Joshy is sitting up to eat! This is a big deal and he would refuse and insist to lie down for meals, which caused him to often vomit.
– Joshy has shown he is able to self-regulate and is slightly less aggressive when we tell him that a particular behavior is inappropriate.
– He seeks us out more for affection and cuddles than before, and I have noticed way less pinching and biting.
– Joshy sits nicely and attentively during his ABA sessions and doesn’t become difficult or insist on turning the TV on.
– Joshy is playing more with his older brother. He can copy actions and is using more toys with their intended purpose.
– and the best…. Joshy is more vocal and is babbling more than before. He still can’t talk, but this is the first step to him being able to possibly achieve spoken communication. As his mom, to hear the words ‘mommy’ just even once would be the greatest moment I could ask for.

Every cent raised, regardless if we meet our goal or surpass it, will go to him continuing with his ABA therapy for as long as possible. If we have seen such progress in this short time, can you imagine what long-term therapy could do? You are all angels in disguise and we appreciate you. Thank you.

Cary and Syamill”