Titan Paki and his family will be one of many taking on Noah’s Challenge this month.
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For the first time in the challenge’s six-year history, everyone is invited to join an Amazing Race style course around Mavromattes Reserve in Nowra on October 28.
All funds raised will go towards Noah’s Inclusion Services, a not-for-profit organisation that supports children and their families tackling the challenges of disabilities and developmental delays.
Titan had a difficult start to life, but after working with a speech pathologist at Noah’s throughout preschool, he will start mainstream school next year.
The almost six-year-old spent six days in ICU after being born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck.
With further complications presenting at four-months-old he was eventually diagnosed with a missing chromosome (13q21) and hypotonia (low muscle tone), which adversely affected his health, eating, motor skills and developmental milestones.
Titan managed to hold up his head at six months, but it wasn’t until he was two years that he was able to walk and eat soft solids without choking.
Titan’s mum Jane Paki said Titan was constantly “in and out of hospital, with setback after setback” but has come ahead thanks to Noah’s.
“He constantly choked on anything, even soft food like custard which was quite frightening,” she said.
“Noah’s trained us on how to put him into position to feed him and how to change his style of eating.”
Titan also worked with a Noah’s speech pathologist. After picking up simple words and some sign language, Jane said Titan is now able to communicate with his family.
“He’s pretty good now, his speech has come through a little bit and he’s got a whole range of vocabulary that he didn’t have before,” she said.
Titan will started school in November, joining his big sister at Flinders Public School.
It will be a bittersweet moment for Jane.
“It’s sad but also really exciting,” she said.
Jane encouraged everyone to head along to Noah’s Challenge at the end of the month.
“Come along, have a laugh at us and help support Noah’s who have been there for us,” she said.
Starting at 1pm, Noah’s Challenge will see teams of two to four visit various checkpoints and collect stamps along a four kilometre course to compete in physical, mental and creative activities.
Prizes will be given to the fastest teams on the day, the highest fundraisers and the best dressed, so get your best dress-ups sorted and invite your family and friends to sponsor you to help raise vital funds for Noah’s programs and services that help local children and their families.
To register for Noah’s Challenge on October 28, or to donate to support children and their families tackling the challenges of disabilities and developmental delays, visit www.noahschallenge.com.au