Support Jericho's Fight Against Duchenne

Jericho's Journey with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Jericho is a 4-year-old boy who loves the world. He has no fear and is happy almost all the time. His smile is contagious. However, in February of 2021, he was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Jericho currently cannot run or jump. He wears both day and night splints on his legs and feet. He gets very tired very quickly. The best way it was described was it’s like his body has full firefighter gear on all the time.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a fatal, genetic, and progressive muscle-wasting disease that affects 1 in every 3,500 live male births. Duchenne is characterized by the deterioration of skeletal, cardiac, and pulmonary muscles, resulting in full loss of ambulation between the early teen and adult years, with an average lifespan of their mid-20s. Although primarily considered just a muscle disease, the lack of dystrophin also affects the brain and emotions, resulting in an increased occurrence of mental health diagnoses, as well as many learning difficulties.

Jericho has received approval for a gene therapy that is changing the course for boys with this disease called Elevidys. The boys receiving this therapy are able to run, jump, and climb stairs, some for the first time in their lives. It will allow his body to make some of the protein that he currently does not.

Jericho's family consists of his mom Melissa, dad Jeremy, 15-year-old sister, 6-year-old sister, and his twin brother. Jericho will have to stay in the area of Vanderbilt during treatment. This is a 12-week process. The doctors have said that he must stay for at least the first 4 weeks. If he is responding to treatment and not having major side effects, they will consider letting him return home at 4 weeks and returning weekly for his appointments. Jericho will be immune-compromised and will not be allowed to travel back and forth for the first part of treatment. His mom will have to stay in Nashville with him while his dad stays home to care for the other children and continue working. His mom will be unable to work for a minimum of 4 weeks while in Nashville and potentially longer.

During this time, they must find their own lodging and extra expenses for travel while also having their household income drastically reduced.

We are looking for support to help them with their bills and travel expenses.

Any and all help would be appreciated.