We’ve supported larger charities over the years and now it’s time to zero in on one precious little boy – Harris Kosmatos – and his family, who need our help.
Four-year-old Harris lives with his mum and dad, Christa and Alex, and baby sister Anastasia in Melbourne. He was born with a chromosomal deletion problem which has caused his cerebral palsy as well as global developmental delay. This darling little boy faces a host of other challenges too, such as feeding and growth problems and respiratory and vision issues. His treatment involves a stream of constant tests, specialist appointments, twelve hours of oxygen each day and permanent antibiotics.
Most of us can only imagine the impact of this on a young family, who want to do the very best by their gorgeous son (those huge brown eyes are incredible!) and offer him the best treatment available. Christa and Alex received the wonderful news that Harris has been accepted into a two-year program at the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC), yet with the family’s costs mounting for the range of treatment he needs, coupled with the huge expense of the program, it’s clear Harris needs our help. He’s an amazing kid to have endured all this in just four years of life. His family and friends are devoted to him, with a friend of Christa’s contacting us to share Harris’ story.
We thought we’d ask our vast Babyology community to see what we can do together to help Harris’ family keep him in the vitally important program at CPEC. There is no other centre like it in all of Australia, with its specialised programs and therapists who are internationally recognised as some of the most successful at giving children with CP the chance to live as independently as possible.
It costs some $19,000 each year for a child to participate in Learning for Life education programs from CPEC. The centre receives about $7000 per child in government funding, with parent fees, donations and fundraising needed to meet the $12,000 shortfall. This huge financial burden falls on CPEC families every year, along with the purchase of specialised equipment the children need to assist walking, eating and communicating.
If you are interested in finding out more about CPEC and the amazing job they do, please check out their website.
Giving back is an incredibly important part of our ethos at Babyology. Last August we donated $1200 to HeartKids Australia and in September we auctioned off a Bugaboo Donkey, donating the proceeds to the Global Fund’s vital work in Africa to stem mother-to-child transmission of AIDS. Then in December we gave $1800 to The Smith Family.
This time, we want to help a family directly and we’re delighted to be helping the Kosmatos family for treatment of their little boy Harris. For every new like on Facebook in March, we’ll give twenty cents to the Kosmatos’. You can help by sharing this post with your Facebook friends, your real-life friends and everyone else you know. Ask them to like Babyology’s Facebook page and help a family’s hopes and dreams for their little boy come true.
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16 Comments
Best wishes Harris…… hope u also know that you can get Better Start funding to contribute to the CPEC fees….I will share with everyone I know
May god be with you and your family as you face your challenges… he is a beautiful boy, blessed with parents who love him… God bless!
is there an actual bank account set up for little Harris, so we can donate directly to it???
Good luck with it all. My son attended CPEC for EI for 4 years and has now recently come back to attend after school program. It is the best program for your child. We couldn’t be without it. It is our life. And this is how it will be for you.
Please like and share <3
Hi Maria,
We are finding out for you and will get back to you soon!
Cheers
Suzi
Just so people know, Harris’ mother Christa can accept direct donations as well, for Harris’ treatment.
Please just email us to get in touch with her – and of course, share this article with your family and friends so we can donate 20c for every new liker!
http://babyology.com.au/contact/general-enquiries
Suzi
As a long time reader of babyology It is fantastic to see babyology to supporting Harris! My daughter attends CPEC and it is one amazing place words can’t describe how wonderful it has been for us!
I have a nephew whom attends CPEC they have helped him so much in the time he has been there. It is just a little click to share.
You have my support. Good luck.
God bless you little Harris and your family.
What a sweetheart, Hope everything works out for you all. All the best Harris if ya need anything mate let me know, Go Pies
I have read on Facebook that all contests and promotions based on number of Facebook “likes” are scams. Can you confirm this is real?
Wendy our helping Harris is very much real, we promise that the money we put aside for every new “like” of our page will absolutely go to helping this little boy!
What a gorgeous boy! Good luck and good health to your family.
Many, many people are thinking of you and praying for you Harris and your wonderful family….Best wishes to you All.