Jojo
Publisher: Weill Cornell Medicine / New York Presbyterian
This Tuesday morning begins like any other day in the McCoy household. At 7am Javian McCoy’s mother breaks the silence of a new day, “Come on boys, it’s time to get ready!” Javian, who goes by Jojo, sluggishly gets moving and sits alongside his brother as they laugh together, devouring their breakfast. As 8:30am approaches, the boys are asked to go to their rooms to grab their backpacks since it’s time to leave.
Jojo is on his way to Weill Cornell Medicine and @nyphospital, to receive dialysis treatment for nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disorder that he has been living with since he was six years old. According to the @nationalkidneyfoundation, this condition happens when tiny structures in the kidneys called glomeruli stop working properly and let too much protein enter the kidneys and has a number of serious complications.
Until he can find a transplant match, his mom and dad swap turns taking Jojo to a four-hour dialysis session twice a week at Weill Cornell Medicine and @nyhospital, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Despite missing his brother and friends at school, Jojo arrives to his appointment in high spirits, sporting a big smile. He calmly sits and watches cartoons as an IV is injected into his right arm and his treatment begins. “When he was first diagnosed, he didn’t speak,” said Jojo’s mother. “It took him about two years to understand his condition and get comfortable with the staff.” Since then, Jojo has built great relationships with the clinical staff, who have essentially become extended family, especially his physician Dr. Eduardo Perelstein. “Everyone is so hopeful and friendly, “they make it not so hard coming here,” says his mom.
Jojo is known as a charismatic eight-year-old boy whose huge personality matches his many talents and “I can do anything” spirit.
Jojo is on his way to Weill Cornell Medicine and @nyphospital, to receive dialysis treatment for nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disorder that he has been living with since he was six years old. According to the @nationalkidneyfoundation, this condition happens when tiny structures in the kidneys called glomeruli stop working properly and let too much protein enter the kidneys and has a number of serious complications.
Until he can find a transplant match, his mom and dad swap turns taking Jojo to a four-hour dialysis session twice a week at Weill Cornell Medicine and @nyhospital, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Despite missing his brother and friends at school, Jojo arrives to his appointment in high spirits, sporting a big smile. He calmly sits and watches cartoons as an IV is injected into his right arm and his treatment begins. “When he was first diagnosed, he didn’t speak,” said Jojo’s mother. “It took him about two years to understand his condition and get comfortable with the staff.” Since then, Jojo has built great relationships with the clinical staff, who have essentially become extended family, especially his physician Dr. Eduardo Perelstein. “Everyone is so hopeful and friendly, “they make it not so hard coming here,” says his mom.
Jojo is known as a charismatic eight-year-old boy whose huge personality matches his many talents and “I can do anything” spirit.
