Joliano's Holistic Journey

As parents, we sometimes take our children's health for granted and are lucky to escape childhood years with just a few scraped knees and busted lips. Then, there are others that aren't as fortunate and try to do all in their power (& beyond) to heal their sick babies to the best of their abilities.

As is the story of my dear friends, Jennyfer and Joel, who were set to be married on March 25, 2017. But, as life tends to throw us a few curve balls now and then, they made a selfless, parental decision to cancel their wedding and redirect those funds to seek alternative medical attention for their son, the precious, Joliano.

Joliano Batista, a natural born fighter, entered this world on January 18, 2015 at a mere 32 weeks, weighing only 4lbs 5oz. But with the strong will to survive, he only stayed in the NICU for 8 days!! (He gets it from his mama!)

Joliano was a very happy and healthy baby up until he was diagnosed with asthma at 10 months old when he was first hospitalized with RSV, a potentially fatal respiratory virus in healthy babies, let alone a premie that already has a compromised immune system. RSV attacks the lungs, leaving them susceptible to other infections and issues, making it extremely difficult for baby lungs to breathe. Joliano was in the hospital for his first Christmas, from December 25, 2015 to January 1, 2016 he successfully fought his first battle. July 2016, he was hospitalized again for another 7 days with pneumonia. He received all types of medications including steroids, antibiotics and albuterol! (That's a LOT for an adult, imagine a baby!) Again, in December 2016 he was diagnosed with pneumonia but since it was caught early, he didn't need to be hospitalized. Only a few short weeks later, in January of this year, 2017, he was AGAIN, diagnosed with pneumonia and was able to stay out of the hospital, at home receiving his treatment.

Joliano's pulmonologist has had him on a permanent asthma regiment since July. He has a constant wheeze and narrow airway passages and with the latest update, his doctor suggested that the permanent asthma treatment he has been receiving, albuterol and steroids, weren't aiding him or helping any in his condition so he suggested a second daily treatment! (More meds for a 2 year old!!) When Jennyfer questioned potential side effects with the new treatment and his other dosages of medications that aren't necessarily working, his reply was that it could cause (amongst other side effects) mood swings, one of which being anger. As we know, toddlers are now just learning their emotions, how to cope with them, an added emotion of ANGER is not one a mother and father at their wits end want to add to their already full plate.

Which leads us to present day... Jennyfer would like to seek alternative medicine, a holistic approach instead of pumping her baby full of medications and chemicals which have proven this far to not be successful. The issue is, insurance companies will not pay for it because they deem it to be "experimental" or "not a medical necessity". These consultations are VERY costly, not including their travel from NJ to NYC to see these doctors and whatever medical plans thereafter. We need your help. No donation is too small.

Jennyfer and Joel are both full-time working parents with Joliano and his little sister Jolene to care for. Any funds raised will be used solely for Joliano's holistic journey. He deserves a chance to be a normal, bouncy, healthy happy 2 year old boy! No child should be robbed of their childhood due to an illness.

If you can find it in your heart to donate to a little boy who doesn't necessarily understand the severity of his condition, it would be forever grateful. And if you can't personally donate, please share his story so that maybe someone in a better place to do so, can.

Thank you and may God bless you always.