Together strong for Maurice-Joel

I am reaching out to you today to tell you about my nephew Maurice-Joel from Ottobrunn. Maurice-Joel, a lively boy, just celebrated his 16th birthday. He loves life and enjoys it to the fullest. Whether cycling, hiking, or skiing, Maurice-Joel is passionate about his hobbies. He currently attends the 10th grade at a Montessori school. There, he excels through his determination and motivation and also shows his skills in technical projects. His friendly nature makes him popular with teachers and classmates. He loves his dog, is involved in the volunteer fire department, and is active as a school paramedic.

However, in mid-May 2024, his life changed abruptly. In the middle of exam preparation, Maurice-Joel was diagnosed with DIPG, a malignant brain tumor that is neither operable nor curable with current medical treatment. The first signs, such as dizziness and headaches, appeared shortly before the diagnosis. Soon after, other symptoms followed, such as a drooping mouth corner, loss of strength in his left hand and leg, and balance issues. Maurice-Joel is currently receiving radiation and chemotherapy, accompanied by naturopathic treatments to strengthen his body. These therapies are already showing initial success, as his symptoms have slightly eased.

Despite this diagnosis, Maurice-Joel remains undaunted. His main goal is still to complete his school year and attend a higher-level school in September. He dreams of returning to his hobbies and being able to play sports again.

I ask you to support him and his parents: They urgently need financial support for treatments and medications that are not covered by health insurance. Some medications that can slow the deadly progression of DIPG are not yet approved in Germany, so families must pay for them themselves.

Their living situation is also problematic. They currently live on the 2nd floor with a small bathroom. Because the illness causes physical limitations, this is unacceptable. They urgently need help finding a ground-floor apartment or a place with an elevator and a wheelchair-accessible bathroom. A garden would be ideal for Maurice-Joel so he can continue to enjoy his love of nature. A school escort may be necessary to manage the commute to the technical school.

Additionally, he dreams of a vacation by the sea and a road trip in a camper, which we would love to make possible for him.

As Maurice-Joel's uncle, I want to collect donations with the Harzer Sonnenzwerge association to help cover the costs of his medications and to give him beautiful moments, like his dream vacation. Assistance in finding a suitable apartment or a school escort would also be a valuable contribution.

Let's work together to ensure Maurice-Joel can achieve his goals. Please share this appeal. Thank you very much for your support!