Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Ray Fantel can't sit up without assistance and has never crawled or walked due to a degenerative neuromuscular disease.
In just four years on this Earth, Ray Fantel has already outlived any and every expectation. When he was only 5-months-old, Ray was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, an incurable, terminal disease that is the most frequent genetic cause of death for infants. The average life expectancy for a child with SMA is just two years, however Ray has already doubled his life expectancy. “We were crushed,” said Ray’s mother Marcy Fantel earlier this year. “We vowed to do everything possible to give him the best chance and make sure he enjoyed life no matter what the length of time he has.” Because of the effects of SMA on his body, Ray has never crawled or walked, and can't sit up without assistance. He can't attend school because catching a …
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Ray Fantel, 4, of Kendall Park, cannot sit up without assistance and has never crawled or walked due to a degenerative neuromuscular disease.
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Wednesday, January 30
In many ways, Ray Fantel is a normal 4-year-old boy. He wants to run, jump and play with his older brother. In another way, Ray is very special. He has already lived twice as long as he was expected to. Ray was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 when he was 5-months-old. SMA is an incurable, terminal disease and the most frequent genetic cause of death in infants. The average life expectancy of a child with SMA is 2 years. “We were crushed,” said Ray’s mother Marcy Fantel of the diagnosis, “We vowed to do everything possible to give him the best chance and make sure he enjoyed life no matter what the length of time he has.” Today at 4-years-old, Ray has a beautiful smile and speaks softly. Because SMA is a degenerative …
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
"Breakfast With Santa" event raises funds to help with medical expenses for Ray Fantel, a 4-year-old South Brunswick child with spinal muscular atrophy.
Recognizing the burdens facing a South Brunswick family with a young child battling a debilitating disease, the St. Cecilia’s Knights of Columbus chapter answered the call. The Knights of Columbus St. Cecilia’s Council raised $1,000 during the holidays to aid the Fantel family of South Brunswick with medical bills incurred during the treatment and care of their son Ray. Just 4-years-old, Ray was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) when he was 5-months-old. The disease has left Ray in a wheelchair where he needs constant care. “We just bought a conversion van so Ray can sit in his wheelchair (soon he will have a power wheelchair) and be locked in safely," said Ray's mother last year. "Now, we are in the process of building an …
