Support Young Ivar:

 

We are deeply honored to feature our beloved young Ivar at this year's festival. He holds a special place in our hearts, bringing boundless joy and light wherever he goes.

Young Ivar faces significant challenges and needs our collective support. His journey has been marked by numerous battles, beginning with a stroke in utero that led to premature labor at 31 weeks. Born with underdeveloped lungs, he spent 57 days in the NICU, enduring further complications including infections and extended tube feeding. Upon returning home, it became evident that his developmental delays exceeded initial expectations. At 10 months, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and subsequent evaluations for autism have been ongoing.

Since the age of 1.5 years, Ivar has undergone intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapies, along with surgeries and treatments including Botox injections and musculoskeletal relaxers. His condition necessitates full-time care and adaptive living arrangements, as he currently does not walk independently.

As part of our commitment to community support, we refrain from using Ivar's real name to respect his and his family's privacy. We recognize the financial strain his medical needs impose on his family, and we aim to alleviate some of their burdens. To this end, we have dedicated the last Sunday of our Yule festival to celebrate this remarkable child. Ivar will lead the festival parade, symbolizing our solidarity and admiration for his courage.

We have compiled a wishlist of items crucial to Ivar's development, which you can find on Amazon via the following link: Amazon Wishlist. Your contributions will make a meaningful difference in his journey, and we thank you for joining us in supporting Ivar and his family during this challenging time.