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Support Tama to walk again after Major Spine Surgery

$13,158 donated
Given by 75 generous donors in 4 weeks

Tama is having major spinal surgery - rods inserted from his neck (T3) to pelvis. Your koha will support his therapy to help him walk again.

Mangakino, Waikato

Ten years ago, when Tama was 3, we fundraised to help him learn to walk. Through loads of therapy, love & support he incredibly took his first steps at age 5 at the NAPA Centre Sydney!! Now he faces major spine surgery and we want to support his journey to re-learn to walk.

Tama was born with a rare condition called Pura Syndrome - a deletion on his Pura gene. He has hypotonia (weak muscles) but loves to walk and could easily walk 100 steps on his own! He is non-verbal and has a mic-key button to feed him to his stomach. At age 10 he developed daily seizures, and needed to use a walker for safety and fatigue. At age 13 he has developed hip dysplasia and scoliosis (curve of the spine) which is now over 80 degrees and progressing rapidly. If the scoliosis gets worse he will start squashing and damaging his internal organs. He needs major surgery to insert two rods down each side of his spine from his neck (T3) to his pelvis, to fuse his spine. Sadly this surgery will stunt his growth and he won't be able to stand straight again (he'll be stooped), but there is hope he will walk again with a walker. We are fundrasing to take Tama to two NAPA Intensive Therapies after his surgery - a cost of over $40,000 for therapy, flights & accom.

Tama has endured so much in his little life. He is the most beautiful soul and despite all of his challenges he spends his day smiling & bringing joy to others! We want to help him learn to walk again after surgery and continue to live his best life!

Kirsty Trueman's involvement (page creator)

I am his Mum.

Use of funds

Funds received will directly support therapy for Tama to help him walk again. We will take him to 2 x 3 week Intensive Therapy Sessions at NAPA Centre Australia which will cost over NZ$40,000 -including Intensive therapy (NZ$26,600) plus flights and accom. If we don't reach the goal, funds will still go towards some form of therapy to help Tama.

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Latest donations

Chainsaw & sandy
Chainsaw & sandy on 05 Feb 2025
Kia kaha tama
$100
Kirsty Trueman

Thank you both so much for all your support, appreciate your aroha and the extra miles you go for others! Heaps of love from Tama and us xx

Kirsty Trueman
Hayley
Hayley on 05 Feb 2025
Love you whanau
Private
Kirsty Trueman

Thanks so much Hayley - love you guys too xxx

Kirsty Trueman
Karan Holland
Karan Holland on 04 Feb 2025
Let’s go Tama! Big up the Trueman family
$20
Kirsty Trueman

Thank you Karan, you have such a big heart! Much love and thanks to you from Tama and us xx

Kirsty Trueman
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 30 Jan 2025
Hope for the Lord to hold Tama tight and be close to him through all his days, to give him joy, laughter and resilience to keep pushing on & having hope in life ❤️🙏🙏🙏
$30
Kirsty Trueman

Many thanks for your kindness and koha. Love and blessings from Tama and us xx

Kirsty Trueman
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 28 Jan 2025
Private
Kirsty Trueman

Thank you so much for your kindness and koha. We really appreciate it. Big loves from Tama and us all xx

Kirsty Trueman

Who's involved?

Kirsty Trueman's avatar
Created by, and paying to a verified bank account of, Kirsty Trueman on behalf of Tama Trueman
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This campaign started on 17 Jan 2025 and ends on 17 Jan 2026.