The long road to a happy childhood

Dima is the first desired child in the family of Vera and Oleksandr. When their son was born, happiness knew no bounds, but they didn’t know and couldn’t even imagine what to expect.

Dima was born at 41 weeks and is healthy. In the first months, the development corresponded to his age. Months passed and the mother noticed that the child was not as active as other babies. The doctors’ admitted that all children are different and have their own development. When my son was 5 months old, he had no interest in actively rolling over, my mother started looking for an explanation for this.

At 6 months, Dima underwent the first massages. The child took 3 courses, which slightly improved his condition. During this period, the doctors said that the boy simply had a statokinetic developmental retardation. The parents didn’t stop and continued talking to doctors in order to find out the reason for the development retardation, and only at 11 months, a pediatrician from Dobrobut diagnosed cerebral palsy after examinations and an MRI. It was a shock for the whole family. Mom was not ready to accept this information and diagnosis. Every time she looked at her son, her eyes filled with tears. Vera could not understand why this happened to her child and what awaits them. But no one was going to give up.When the kid was 1.4 years old, he was officially diagnosed with cerebral palsy, spastic tetraparesis. It was then that their struggle for a happy childhood and a full life began. They didn’t give up and kept saying that they would put their son on his feet, no matter whatever it takes.

The first rehabilitation was in the Kozyavkin International Rehabilitation Clinic, in Truskavets. To say that it was easy is to say nothing. This was the first time the family saw such a great number of children who have to fight for a full life. The mother and her son cried all two weeks of classes: he because of physical activity, and she because of the moral and psychological state. But thanks to all the specialists and the work done, Dima had positive results and began to stand on all fours and try to crawl after the first course of treatment. Before that course, Dima crawled on the floor, couldn’t sit down himself and was not sure how to hold his back while sitting.

Later, the family found an excellent physical rehabilitator, who started visiting them and working with the boy at home. The results after rehabilitation pleased again. Dima began to stand up near the holder. To all this, swimming classes in the pool were added. Then came the 2nd course of rehabilitation in Kozyavkin clinic and another course of treatment at home. After each course, positive changes began to appear one by one. By the age of 2, Dima could stand up and walk near the holder. Later he underwent a rehabilitation course at the Step by Step (Krok Za Krokom) Center, Samotuzhka, Prometheus and two courses at the Apis Melifika center.

The family paid for most of the rehabilitations as according to the 309 decree, state funds are provided for only one trip (sometimes the funds were divided into two courses, however, it was necessary to pay for everything). The boy made his first uncertain steps at the age of 3 years and 11 months on St. Nicholas Day. These were the most desirable first steps, mom was on top of the world, and she thought that they are on the right path.

Now Dima is 5 years old, he goes to a specialized kindergarten for children with locomotor apparatus and he really likes this place. The boy is very smart and intelligent. Loves his teachers and music lessons, especially when they play musical instruments. Dima has a little dream – to learn how to ski, as well as visit the sea and run on warm sand.

Unfortunately, at this stage of Dima's life, it became worse for him to move without any assistance. The reason for this is flatfoot deformity. He can’t fully stand on his feet. Now Dmytro is preparing for surgery on both legs. Dima faces a difficult period of post-surgical rehabilitation. After this, the boy will be in plasters for a month, and after the removal all the dynamics needs to be adjusted from scratch. That is, to restore the body.The family applies for help to the fund for the first time, they have never done this before and do not know how to ask for help properly. With the current situation in the country, the family is financially unable to overcome this life problem. Only the husband works, and unfortunately, it is very difficult for them now.

To help Dmytro to recover after the surgery, he needs to undergo a rehabilitation course at the Victoria center. The center deals with children with the same diagnosis as Dima and with children after surgery. An important factor is that this center has a swimming pool, which is very necessary for Dima to restore his body.

We beg everyone who cares to help this little kid with rehabilitation. Mom and dad really want their boy to go to the senior group of kindergarten in September with healthy legs and have a happy childhood.