Help Josiah Overcome His Medical Challenges

Hi, my name is Elisha Mahoney and I am the mother of a spunky, bright spirited 3 year old named Josiah. Josiah and I have had a wild ride within his first few years. I have been a single mama, watching my son conquer many health battles.

Josiah was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, scoliosis and tethered spine. He has undergone multiple surgeries for his lip, palate, spine and ears. As Josiah has grown, we have met with a geneticist where we have discovered he has Goldenhar Syndrome. The result of Goldenhar is the bilateral cleft lip and palate, one ear smaller than the other (where he uses a hearing aid), heart defects (heart is tilted differently than the usual), skin tags (removed during surgery) and eye defects.

Josiah meets with doctors at Gillette Children’s with an orthopedic and craniofacial team. He also goes to Rochester Mayo to meet with an ophthalmologist regularly. The new medical concern is Josiah’s eye defect. He does not close his eyes fully which has resulted in numerous infections and a large ulcer. This ulcer has interfered with his eyesight and has threatened the use of his eye with almost losing it by going to emergency surgery. An intense regimen so far has helped take a turn for the positive.

However, Josiah will be undergoing a multitude of surgeries. He will be getting an extensive iris surgery to remove the ulcer and drill a hole along with eyelid surgery for him to fully close his eyes.

Any funds received will go towards a savings account to assist with previous, current and ongoing medical bills. We are currently in the process of asking for support for disability but the frustrations of continued denials occur.

Josiah remains intact with his bright spirit as he undergoes many doctor appointments and treatments. He also meets weekly for speech therapy. Any support and help will ensure he is advocated for and will remain on a healthy medical journey.