Those who know Zayn would describe him as pure joy. He loves to laugh and has a smile that spreads to anyone he sees.

When Angela Ampofo and Nabil Hajar found out they were expecting, they were overjoyed to become parents again.

Born on October, 22, 2016 at 24 weeks and six days’ gestation, Zayn was born via a Cesarean section. He lost a lost a lot of blood and was deprived of oxygen.

He weighed less than a pound and was given less than 25 percent chance of survival. Even as a premature baby, Zayn didn’t like those odds.

Zayn’s First Year

The next year of Angela and Nabil’s life was spent in and out of WVU Medicine Children’s.

“He was so fragile when he was born,” Nabil said. “We were scared to go near him.”

After his first three months of care in the NICU, Zayne reached a major milestone. He was extubated and put on oxygen for the remainder of his stay.

As he grew, Zayn was diagnosed with cerebral palsy caused by lack of oxygen to his brain at birth. It’s a condition that affects how a person moves, keeps their balance, and controls their muscles.

The Journey Home

Eight long months in the NICU later, Zayn was able to come home to Martinsburg.

He remained on oxygen and had to return to WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s over the next several months for appointments and hospitalizations to treat his breathing problems.

Zayn’s Bright Future

Zayn is getting ready to start the third grade. He also hasn’t had a hospital stay in three years.

Zayn is also continuing physical therapy for his cerebral palsy and is making significant progress.

He keeps up with all his activities with a motorized chair and has his own communication device to help him learn and speak with others.

We are fundraising to support Zayn’s ongoing medical treatments, therapies, and a chair lift for their home, which are all crucial for his continued progress and well-being.