The father of Javier Micallef looked on as his son, once predicted to remain in vegetative state from birth, braved the cold water unaided at a beach in the UK, where he was flown for therapy.

Swimming was a target that the family set two years ago, after this newspaper’s readers helped finance much-needed therapy for Javier, 9, who was born without a large portion of his brain.

Until he was seven, Javier used to move clumsily, often bumping into his surroundings, but nowadays he swims unaided.

Dennis, Javier and Dorelle Micallef hope that they can be of emotional support to those going through something similar.

This is one of the major achievements for the Micallef family, whose son was born 10 weeks premature since his head was the size of a full-term baby.

Javier is the only person in Malta – and one of three in Europe – diagnosed with rhombencephalosynapsis, a rare brain malformation. This makes it even more difficult for the family to find therapy closer to home.

Dorelle and Dennis Micallef were initially told their son could remain in a vegetative state but Mr Micallef clearly remembers Javier pulling up his leg when a nurse tickled his foot with a pen.

Eventually he did not need to be tube-fed and he started undergoing therapy at a few months old.

When considering how far he has come over the past two years, we cannot stop thanking whoever has stood by us

He has had to face so many operations, injections and hospital visits that he developed an aversion to white clothes, which he associates with doctors’ gowns.

“We know he will not recover 100 per cent, and for some people it might be insignificant to see their son say his night prayers on his own, but every little step is a big one for us,” Mr Micallef said.

“When considering how far he has come over the past two years, we cannot stop thanking whoever has stood by us. We now hope that we too can be of emotional support to those going through something similar.”

Another major achievement for Javier, who for the past years was a student at the San Miguel Primary Education Resource Centre, is being introduced to mainstream schooling.

“This is a big one for us, as we know that he will learn more by copying other children his age. He is also getting on well with his peers, and loves going to school. In fact, during the weekend he urges us to take him to school, and by Sunday, he starts calling out for his school driver Ġużi,” his father added.

This was the third time that the family had flown to the UK for interactive metronome therapy, which is offered at Praxis Therapy Centre, a private clinic in York.

Javier Micallef, diagnosed with a rare brain malformation, has made long strides since he started therapy abroad. Photos: Steve Zammit Lupi

Over the past two years, Javier has ticked several other achievement boxes.

“Last year we cried with joy when he ate his first hamburger… nowadays, he eats everything and he actually places the order of what he wants for dinner earlier on in the day,” his mother said laughing, as her son tugged on her sleeve asking her to go for a car ride.

Once, they could not even venture out to the supermarket together. “Now we can go out as a family, as he no longer throws a three-hour tantrum. His outbursts now last a couple of minutes.”

The family has found financial backing through the readers of The Sunday Times of Malta, Puttinu Cares, the Malta Community Chest Fund, the Dolmen Hotel Social Welfare Fund, Air Malta family and friends. They also speak of great support received from the Mater Dei Hospital doctors and nurses.

Anyone who wishes to make contact can e-mail dendorjav@hotmail.com or call 9989 0783.