High Fives For Hohaia

As many of you know, Hohaia has faced some struggles in his short, almost 3 years. He was recently diagnosed with Periventricular Leukomalacia - a brain injury affecting the white matter around the brain’s ventricles. For Hohaia, this has affected the signals between his brain and body, particularly his movement and muscle control, resulting in cerebral palsy.

He has a weaker core, spastic monoplegia affecting his left leg, delayed language and milestones, a weaker swallow and fatigue. His coordination is also affected, making independent walking extremely difficult. At almost 3, he still primarily crawls or is carried.

Earlier this year, Hohaia attended Centre of Movement in Rotorua with his Mama, Te Kahui, and Nanny Eve for an intensive week of therapy. By the end of the week, his whānau witnessed something we weren’t sure we would ever see - Hohaia taking his first assisted steps 🥹

Therapy through this programme costs around $3,400 per week, before accommodation, travel and other expenses, and isn’t funded through NZ’s public health system

We’re hoping to get Hohaia back for several intensive sessions next year so he can build on his progress and keep working towards walking.

Te Kahui and Darnell are proud people who don’t like asking for help, so I am reaching out on their behalf.

If you can’t donate, sharing means just as much. Follow @highfivesforhohaia on Instagram to follow his journey and send some aroha.

Every koha, share and high-five helps Hohaia keep moving forward 🥰