Irfan Battles DMD

Meet Irfan! Irfan is one of the jolliest, happy go lucky, caring, funny, lovable kids you will ever meet. Irfan loves to dance, eat, go to school, and be around family. His personality radiates so much joy and love. When Irfan was 3-years-old he was diagnosed with a rare illness called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disorder characterized by rapidly progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. Regardless of his medical condition he still finds ways to dance and even work out with his dad (Irfan wants to be ripped!), he does not let his condition get in the way of his happiness! 

ABOUT DMD:
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by rapidly progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. It is one of the most severe forms of muscular dystrophy and it occurs when there is an absence of dystrophin- a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. DMD often occurs in families without a known family history of the condition, and it primarily affects boys. Symptoms start appearing before the age of 6; usually between the ages of 3 and 5, and can occur as early as infancy. These symptoms become more noticeable when delays in motor milestones start becoming prevalent; for children with DMD, motor skills such as sitting and walking independently occur later (around 18 months) than for children who do not have DMD.

The disease causes muscles to weaken in many areas of the body, including the legs, pelvic muscles, arms, and neck. However, the lower half of the body is affected more severely than the upper half. Overtime, this muscle weakness can cause difficulty in simple motor functions such as climbing up stairs and walking. Due to the decline in muscle strength (which can start occurring between the ages of 6 and 10), braces may be required to assist with walking, or a wheelchair may be needed, Bones also start developing abnormally, causing deformities of the spine. Eventually, muscle weakness and skeletal deformities start contributing to breathing disorders and an enlarged heart.

There is no known cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, however treatments aim to control symptoms. Steroids are often used by patients with DMD, as they can slow down the loss of muscle strength. Assisted ventilation, drugs to help heart function, and orthopedic appliances such as braces and wheelchairs, are also other forms of treatment for DMD

This  GoFundMe is to help irfan's family. Irfan’s in need of medical equipment that can help make his life a lot easier. He’s in need of a wheel chair accessible van, a Specialist Chair, and help with medical expenses. A specialist chair will help him move around and at least hang out with the kids on the playground. We hope you guys can help us reach our goal and get them this equipment.  We need the funds ASAP as Irfan's condition is progressing rapidly.

As the years progress Irfan’s motor functions have begun to deteriorate, rapidly. Unfortunately Irfan is no longer able to walk. Irfan is now 9 years of age, unable to walk but hasn’t stopped his random sporadic dancing! Even with Muscular dystrophy Irfan finds a way to make us forget that he even has it. He is still the happiest kid we know. Irfan is loved by all of his teachers, peers and family. He brings in light to any room.

Irfan is the second eldest of 4 siblings. His older brother Fahim was diagnosed with a severe case of autism at age 3, and in the past 2 years came his little brother Yaseen and sister Aleesha aka Irfan’s little helpers.

 Irfan is becoming more understanding of his surroundings. He now realizes he can’t run around with his brothers and sister, let alone stand. He always refers to himself in 3rd person as “boy” and it breaks our hearts every time he says “boy want to buy new legs from Walmart”.

Lovley, Irfan’s mother, is strong willed and refuses to live a life of angst given her children’s conditions. She spends every day with her kids making sure every second is memorable. Irfan’s father, Ishmael Hossain, sold his restaurant so he can spend time with Irfan and tend to his every need. You can sometimes find him at Planet fitness at 3am lifting weights in efforts to stay strong so he can lift and take Irfan wherever he needs to go. Irfan is not a small boy anymore, did we mention he loves food? 

Please donate as much as you can, every little bit counts! for every 10 donations I'll  post a picture or video of Irfan! Thank you so much, we cant wait to show you how much Irfan appreciates you!!