Three weeks into her 7-year-old son re-learning how to walk, Becs Hoskins is impressed with the supports and therapies at the Sunny Hill Acute Rehab.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 crazy how rich of an environment this is,B次元官网网址� the Oak Bay mom said in a phone interview from Vancouver.

Simon, who turns 8 on May 19, lives with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) Type IV commonly called Morquio syndrome. MPS is a rare progressive genetic disease caused by missing or malfunctioning enzymes that break down molecules called glycosaminoglycans. Over time, the glycosaminoglycans collect in the cells resulting in permanent, progressive cellular damage. Type IV, or Morquio, mainly affects the skeleton.

In March, Simon had several surgeries at BC ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital. In general terms, doctors rebuilt and restructured much of the youngsterB次元官网网址檚 hip and pelvis area; adjusted existing plates in his knees and placed stabilizing screws in his ankles.

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He returned home for a month or so, significantly limited in mobility, then returned for rehabilitation.

The plethora of therapies available, including recreation therapy at Science World, add a silver lining the six to eight weeks of relearning how to use his body, Becs said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a long rehab, itB次元官网网址檚 a year of getting his hips going again and walking again.B次元官网网址�

When he does return, heB次元官网网址檒l be using a wheelchair and walker to get around.

The goal is to return ahead of summer, maybe get in a little school before it lets out for the year.

B次元官网网址淲e would like him to have some school before the summer, some return to normalcy,B次元官网网址� Becs said.

Last year, Simon and his family B次元官网网址� twin sister Isabel, older brother Spencer and parents Becs and Trevor B次元官网网址� pledged to raise $100,000 for MPS research while elevating awareness. They mark the anniversary of that launch this month, with International MPS Awareness Day on May 15 ahead of the twinsB次元官网网址� birthday May 19.

Long before reaching the one-year mark, they knew theyB次元官网网址檇 reached the cash goal well ahead of the final gala fundraiser in March.

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B次元官网网址淪o we challenged the room to raise another $100,000 that night and they did,B次元官网网址� Becs said.

In fact the campaign tripled its goal, bringing in more than $300,000.

As for the other element of raising awareness, Becs sees so many positive signs for both MPS and equality in general.

Social media channels are humming along, with folks interacting and responding.

At Willows Elementary where all three siblings attend school, the parent advisory council picked up the ball in a self-propelled initiative to shift the school to be more open about talking about disabilities and inclusion.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 have to go and pitch it to them,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been able to step back and provide some advice and theyB次元官网网址檝e run with it.B次元官网网址�

Which is great for Becs, who admits, B次元官网网址淚 have no extra bandwidth right now.B次元官网网址�

Willows PAC turned its blossom tree spring festival on May 24 into a Cure MPS fundraiser. The parents are also organizing sales of blue MPS awareness T-shirts for folks to wear.

B次元官网网址淥n the surface itB次元官网网址檚 about Simon,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about creating a more inclusive community B次元官网网址� raising peopleB次元官网网址檚 awareness about all the things life throws at people.B次元官网网址�

The Hoskins, and now their supporters, encourage folks to wear blue on May 15 to mark MPS Awareness Day.

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