Sacha is almost 6 and lives in Brighton. He has a very rare genetic disorder called 2q37 deletion syndrome, which means he is likely to grow up with cognitive disabilities and physical difficulties. But the range of possible outcomes is wide, and there are many factors that can improve or worsen the prognosis.

Defying expectations, Sacha responded remarkably well to intensive blocks of paediatric therapy at NAPA Center: the first enabled him to stand for the first time; the second got him walking; in the last, he learned to climb and descend stairs. And more recently, Floortime therapy has helped to lay some crucial foundations for communication. Every round of intensive therapy has been a tangible boost not only to Sacha's development, but also to his happiness and confidence. Without these therapies, it would have been a much longer struggle for Sacha to reach such milestones.

Sacha is currently non-verbal and finds communication in general extremely challenging. As he gets older, this is causing him to get increasingly frustrated. While he is able to use his hands for some things like feeding, he has always struggled to use them in play, and this has had a serious impact on his development. Communication often follows upon the development of play skills, so these two difficulties are linked. We are thus fundraising for further rounds of intensive therapy, targeting fine motor skills, play skills, social interaction and communication.

For more information on Sacha, 2q37, and how funds will be spent, please visit here

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