Dear Friends of WVCA,
Masai was born in September, 2022 and has brought love, laughter, and curiosity into every space he enters. He’s a bright, affectionate, and funny little boy with a deep sense of wonder about the world around him. In his short three years, Masai has already faced more challenges than many do in a lifetime, yet he continues to meet each one with resilience and joy.
At just two years old, Masai joined WVCA’s Infant/Toddler program. From his very first day, he’s been full of excitement—never a tear, just smiles and hugs for his teachers each morning. In August 2025, Masai was diagnosed with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that can cause a wide range of developmental delays and physical differences. For Masai, this includes abnormal aortic arch branching, speech and motor delays, in addition to low muscle tone.
Because every child’s experience with 22q11.2 is unique, we’re especially grateful that Masai began therapies at just one year old. Speech, occupational, and physical therapy have given him a strong foundation and allowed us to recognize and support his needs early. In addition, Masai was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and will undergo two surgeries to help improve his breathing and overall quality of life.
Despite these challenges, Masai continues to make tremendous progress. Now part of the Preschool program at WVCA, he receives quality early childhood education in addition to speech therapy, occupational therapy, and outpatient physical therapy. He’s learning new sounds and becoming more independent—cleaning up after himself, making choices, and showing or bringing things when he needs help. His joyful energy and determination continue to amaze everyone who knows him!
The care, patience, and dedication from WVCA’s teachers and therapists have made a world of difference for Masai and our family. We are deeply thankful to be part of WVCA’s community that truly believes in every child’s potential.
Your generosity helps WVCA continue offering these vital educational and therapeutic programs to children like Masai. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps create brighter futures and lasting change for hundreds of local children. Please consider making a gift to WVCA today – every dollar donated will directly benefit WVCA’s educational and therapeutic programs.
Together, we can ensure that every child in our community has the tools and support they need to thrive. Thank you in advance for your considered support!
Sincerely,
Iyana King
Current WVCA Parent