I’m sharing Rick’s story because what this little boy and his mum, Vanessa, are fighting for is nothing short of extraordinary.

When Rick was just 18 months old, Vanessa received the devastating news that no parent is ever prepared to hear. Rick was diagnosed with Infantile Tay-Sachs disease and they were told he may only have 2 to 4 years to live.

But Rick is still here.

This year, Rick turned 4 years old. And for the first time in a very long time, Vanessa is not only fighting for her son’s survival — she is witnessing hope, progress and precious moments she was once told would never be possible.

Earlier this year, Vanessa took Rick to Florence, Italy, where he completed his first cycle of REAC treatment at the Istituto Rinaldi Fontani. Since beginning treatment, Rick has made incredible progress that has completely changed his quality of life.

For the first time in years, Vanessa is seeing improvement instead of decline.

Through daily physiotherapy and occupational therapy, Rick is becoming stronger, more responsive and more present. He is building stability in his body, learning to bear weight with support, spending meaningful time in his standing frame and breathing more comfortably as his swallowing improves.

These milestones may seem small to some people, but for Vanessa and Rick, they are life-changing.

The changes go far beyond physical progress.

Rick has now been seizure-free for months after previously suffering up to 60 seizures a day. His immune system has strengthened significantly, and after spending so much of his life in hospital, he has had zero hospital admissions in the past six months.

For the first time in his life, Rick is more comfortable, more peaceful and more engaged with the world around him.

And Vanessa sees it every day — in his eyes, his smiles and his strength.

But this progress cannot stop now.

To continue protecting and building on these incredible improvements, Rick urgently needs to return to Italy for two more REAC treatment cycles in July and October 2026.

These next stages of treatment are essential to help strengthen the progress Rick has made, improve his comfort and quality of life, and potentially slow the progression of this devastating disease.

For Vanessa, this journey has never been about chasing miracles or promises. It has been about giving her son more comfort, more dignity, more smiles and, most importantly, more time together.

As a single mum, full-time carer and full-time worker, the emotional and financial weight Vanessa carries is unimaginable. The costs of international medical travel, treatment, accommodation, specialised care and ongoing support are simply beyond what she can manage alone.

The family now needs to raise $140,000 AUD to make these next treatment cycles possible.

Funds raised will go directly towards Rick’s treatment, medical travel, flights, accommodation, specialised equipment and the daily care costs needed to support him throughout this journey.

All funds raised will be withdrawn directly by Vanessa and used solely for Rick’s treatment and care.

I know there are so many people who will read Rick’s story and feel inspired by the courage, resilience and hope this little boy carries every single day.

If you can help in any way — through a donation, sharing this page or simply keeping Rick and Vanessa in your thoughts — it would mean more than words can express.

Thank you for standing beside Rick and Vanessa as they continue fighting for more time, more memories and more life together.