Just4Children are fundraising to provide Drish aged 4 from Leicester with therapy and specialist equipment to live as independent life as possible.
We call Drish our “Blue Diamond”—a rare, beautiful gem that shines brightly, just like him. Diagnosed at birth with polymicrogyria, a rare neurological condition, we were told by doctors that Drish “might never roll or do anything a typical child would.” But Drish, true to his name, has defied every expectation. Within a year, he began to roll, showing us he was aware, determined, and ready to connect with the world around him. With regular therapy, Drish can now sit up independently, and we’re working tirelessly on his next milestones—standing and, hopefully, walking one day—even though we’ve been told that may not be possible, even with a walker. Our goal is to help him achieve as much independence as we can.
Drish is now four, and while his condition affects his global development, his spirit and progress continue to inspire us daily. Despite limited NHS support, Drish has made remarkable strides with his private physical therapy over the last 21 months. When he began therapy, he struggled to move because of hip dislocation and dystonia, but through hard work, he can now straighten his legs, stand with support, and even take a few steps. He’s also learning to control his left hand, opening his palm and starting to grasp objects—a big victory for him.
Yet Drish faces other challenges. He has permanent hearing loss in one ear, and his hearing in the other ear is deteriorating. We’re working hard to secure a cochlear implant to improve his communication abilities, but regulatory delays have slowed the process, and we may need to explore private options, the cost of which is uncertain.
Due to dystonia, Drish’s legs have grown unevenly, requiring custom-made shoes that need replacing every 6-8 months. Although the NHS provides splints, these specialized shoes are not covered, adding to our financial burden.
Despite these physical hurdles, Drish’s cognitive abilities are blossoming. He loves interacting with his tablet, watching and exploring videos, though he currently lacks the fine motor skills to do so independently. With Microsoft Adaptive Tools, we hope to give him a more autonomous experience that he so enjoys and deserves.
As Drish’s parents, we always thought we could provide him with everything he needs, and we’ve worked hard to give him every opportunity. But as the journey continues, we realize that financial support will be essential to give him all the resources he deserves. It took us a long time to reach out to Just4Children, but now we see it as a way to expand his future in ways we couldn’t on our own. Every penny donated will go directly toward his therapies, equipment, and specialized care, each step helping him reach further than we ever imagined possible.
Looking ahead, Drish will also need a specialized car seat with custom harnesses to ensure he’s safe and comfortable during our journeys together.
Thank you for reading Drish’s story. With your support, we believe he can achieve so much more than anyone thought possible.
