Blisters for Bread - August 2010 Jarred's great gran, gran and aunt do the "Blisters for Bread" walk for Jarred.....

Need more funds before Jarred can start school - May 2010 Unfortunately the cost of starting Jarred at school is much higher than we anticipated so we will have to do some more serious fund raising - we need R1 500 extra per month which will cover his school fees and transport....PLEASE HELP!!!!!

Jarred's Open Day at his new school - Friends Daycare - April 2010 WOW What a humbling experience - Jarred accompanied by his Great Gran, Gran, Vee Bush (one of his Sponsors), Uncle and Mom visited his new school. He will be starting there in May 2010 after his next endocrine appointment at Red Cross.

Jade and Jarred visit his new school "Friends" in Mowbray - April 2010 Jade met with the principal and they feel that this is the school for Jarred as LOFOB does not deal with children with multiple problems and Friends are very well equipped and can offer the different therapies that Jarred needs at this stage of his development. He will be starting on the 1st May 2010 and Jade will spend the first few weeks getting him settled in.

Jarred has more blood tests - 15th February 2010 More blood tests will be run at Groote Schuur Hospital because Jarred is slowing down in growth and also the levels of Cortisol and Eltroxin previously prescribed have been giving him bad side affects and Jade has had to stop this. We are hoping these new tests will reveal more............details to follow...

Wishing everyone a great 2010 This is going to be a very busy year for Jarred - Jade will have to prepare him for school even though we are not sure where he will be going at this stage ..........more details to follow after his next check up at Red Cross later this month ...

Jarred turns 5 - 21st November 2009 WOW time has really flown and Jarred turned 5 on the 21st of November...... he is doing well and coming along very well with his standing alone and making his way around.....

Jarred and Jade donate his Standing Frame and Walker to children in need - November 2009 Jade and Jarred will be donating this equipment to disabled children in Masiphumelele because Jarred has started standing and taking his first steps and no longer needs these - see pics under Making a Difference.

Medication at last - October 2009 Jarred has started taking Eltroxin for his Thyroid problems and Cortisal to sort out some stomache problems he has ......... we look forward to seeing these work in making him more comfortable..........False Bay Hospital will be supplying the meds on a monthly basis until Jarred's next check up at Red Cross in January 2010.

Appointment with Dr Delport - Endocrinologist at Red Cross - 17th August 2009 Jarred will be re-assessed as his last assessment was more than a year ago and hopefully receive the necessary medication etc - his endocrine problems have yet to be treated ...... still waiting for the results on the 30th September 2009 after numerous phone calls etc. we now have to call on Monday 5th October between 08h30 and 12h00 when Dr Spitaels will hopefully be able to shed some light on Jarred's situation and the way forward.....

Dr Spitaels - report back from Endocrinology - 12th October 2009 Finally we have a result and Jarred will immediately be receiving Eltroxin once a day for his Thyroid problems and also Cortisal which a hormone that is not being produced by his Pituatary Gland 3 x a day. His next appointment with the Endocrinologists will be on the 18th January 2010. We hope that this will make him more comfortable.....

End of the year Raffle - (October - December 2009) Our last fundraiser this year - the draw will take place on the 15th December 2009 - loads of prizes to be won - tickets will be available soon....

5 Friend Challenge - August and September 2009 Well done to Vee Bush - thank you for all your support.

Appointment with Development Clinic Red Cross Hospital - 27th July 2009 Jade and Darren attended the appointment with Jarred - the specialist says that Jarred is doing okay considering all his obstacles. She feels that he is showing signs of Autism and has referred us to Autism Action South Africa - she says that we should have a clearer picture of the way forward in terms of treatment once he has been for his next Endorine appointment on the 17th of August.

Appointment with Speech & Language Clinic Red Cross Hospital - 27th August 2009 This will be Jarred's first appointment of this kind so we are not sure what to expect. He is not able to talk properly yet so hopefully this will help us help him............... more details to follow

Occupational Therapy - July 2009 Andre from LOFOB set up a new daily routine for Jarred and this was discussed and implemented with Jade - this will hugely assist in Jarred's development.

Visit to Red Cross Resource Centre - July 2009 Jade and Debbie attended a meeting with Taniel of the Resource Centre to discuss Jarred's very serious situation. A new appointment has been set up with the Endocrinologists to re-assess Jarred's needs so that we will have a clearer picture on his way forward as he has not received any medication for his condition to date ......... more details to follow....

Blind Buddies Day - 29th May 2009 See details of this on the LOFOB website www.lofob.org.za

Jarred has a session with the occupational therapist from LOFOB - 15th May 2009 He felt that Jarred's developing well and is doing a lot better with his tactile functions. A new routine is being set up for more frequent therapy sessions..... details to follow....

Jarred visits Dr Anil Ramjee - May 2009 Jarred is not doing to well at the moment - we are waiting for an appointment with the Neurologists at Red Cross......... feedback to follow

Easter Babes Photographic Competition See the winners under Easter Babies - what fun...

Beach Babies Photographic Competition - 12th - 15th March Held at the Sun Valley Shopping Centre (Old Mall) What fun we had .................

LOFOB (League of the Friends of the Blind) We met with Benita Petersen on the 24th of February to discuss Jarred's development etc. it was decided that this year will be a year of reviewing Jarred to see if he will be ready for school at LOFOB next year - he is doing well considering all his challenges and Jade is doing a very good job of caring for and teaching Jarred.

JARRED'S WISH LIST MEDICAL AID - so he doesn't have to wait for months and years to get treatment etc.... A FACILITATOR - to assist mom in caring for me ... and most importantly a home.....

Debbie Gunning Jarred's grandmother was interviewed on CCFM radio on Tuesday 10 September at 10h00 I was very nervous but enjoyed the talk on air - it was great to be able to tell everybody out there more about Jarred's condition as it is so rare and we find out more about it all the time - thanks to everyone who contacted me and for all your prayers and support....

Jarred has further tests done - October 2008 The ordeal at the hospital was very traumatic for Jarred and the results have come back as being inconclusive and the endocrinologist feels that he should start taking a drug call DDAVP but this could bring on fits - we are not happy about this and have decided to wait until we have a medical aid to be able to get a 2nd opinion instead of relying on everything that is being said because we cannot afford to get a second opinion at this stage.............