Joshua’s parents never expected to be here, asking for help for their son. But when every aspect of his care is a battle—when the system meant to support children like Joshua falls short—what choice did they have?

It started before their son even took his first breath.

Joshua’s mother endured 30 weeks of a high-risk pregnancy before an emergency C-section brought him into the world. And when he finally arrived, he wasn’t breathing. He was intubated and rushed to the NICU, where he would spend the next 13 weeks. It wasn’t until later that his parents learned the devastating news—Joshua had gone without blood flow for at least 20 hours before birth.

That loss of oxygen changed everything.

Joshua was diagnosed with both cerebral palsy and congenital myotonic dystrophy. His body never got the chance to develop the way it should have. 

His muscles don’t function the way they need to and he relies on a wheelchair for mobility. His body tightens and contracts against him, making even rest—something so many of us take for granted—a source of pain.

And then there are the hospital stays. If you add them all up, Joshua has spent roughly half of his life in a hospital bed. HALF.

What should have been an outpatient surgery turned into a 16-day stay. Later, a three-month hospital stint included three abdominal surgeries and two bouts of sepsis. His parents lived in survival mode, trying to get through each day as best they could.

His mother lost her job as a school nurse. His father drained every hour of PTO just to be by his side.

When people say they would do anything for their children, this is what it looks like.

Even then, when Joshua’s family reached out to Chive Charities, their request was simple: an adaptive bicycle.

At school, Joshua had access to one. His nurse made sure he used it daily, giving his body the movement it desperately needed. It wasn’t just a fun activity—it was therapy. It kept his muscles working. It gave him independence. It gave him strength.

But high school was coming. Joshua would be in a new school next year, one without an adaptive bike. Over the summer, without that movement, his muscles would deteriorate even more. His family was scared of how fast it could happen.

But as they considered the challenges of the coming year, something became even more pressing: Joshua needed a better bed.

Joshua spends most of his time in a wheelchair. When he’s not, he needs to be positioned just right to prevent painful contractions. Without proper support, his muscles work against him.

An adjustable bed would give him relief. It would allow his parents to reposition him easily, easing their already overwhelming daily burden. It would help keep him comfortable—something every child deserves.

It wasn’t a want. It wasn’t an extra. It was a necessity.

And yet, it wasn’t something they could afford on their own.

That’s the reality of life for so many families of children with complex medical needs. The cost of care never stops. Insurance rarely covers what’s actually necessary. The system isn’t built for people like Joshua, for families like his.

So they had to ask for help.

Thanks to our donor community, we were able to step in and fund a $5,094 grant to get Joshua the bed he so desperately needed. It’s not a cure. It’s not a fix. But it’s something.

And when you’re fighting for your child, something means everything.

If you haven’t caught on, yet, Joshua is a pretty incredible 14-year-old kid. He loves his family. He loves Family Feud and watching Catholic Mass on TV. He never goes anywhere without his iPad and YouTube Kids. And when he’s not at school or hanging out with his classmates, he enjoys spending time at Chuck E. Cheese or taking a trip to Morgan’s Wonderland and letting loose on the accessible rides. 

In so many ways, he’s exactly like most other teens you know.

But life for Joshua is not easy. It never has been. Half of his time on this earth has been spent in hospital beds, recovering from surgeries, battling infections, enduring setbacks that no child should ever have to face. And for his parents, there is no break, no off switch, no moment where they don’t have to think about his care.

When people talk about their better half, they usually mean a single person—someone who makes life brighter, easier, fuller. But for Joshua, the better half isn’t just one person. It’s the community of supporters who refuse to let him fall through the cracks. It’s his parents, who have sacrificed everything to give him the best life possible. It’s the Chivers who stepped up to make sure he has what he needs.

Now, thanks to you, Joshua finally has a bed of his own—one that will bring him comfort, relief, and the dignity he deserves. It won’t erase the years of struggle, but maybe it will help make his life a little bit easier.

When you donate to Chive Charities, this is what you’re doing. You’re making sure a kid like Joshua can sleep without pain. You’re giving his parents one less thing to worry about. You’re stepping in where the system won’t.

Thank you for showing up for Joshua. Thank you for proving that the better half of his story is still being written. If you’re not part of this life-changing community, yet, we’d be glad to have you. Become a monthly member and DONATE HERE.