Cerebral palsy, war and a mother's love: Serhiy

On the outskirts of a small town in the Lviv region, a family lives and fights every day for a chance at a better life. This story is a touching example of a mother's love, unbreakable spirit and fight for her child's life in the midst of war.

Serhii was born in 2008. His childhood could have been full of fun, traveling and carefree games, but life had other plans. The boy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a disease that requires constant care, treatment, expensive rehabilitation and boundless maternal love. Left without the support of her husband, the mother is raising her son on her own, putting all her energy into every day of his life.

Since 2014, Krasnohorivka, their hometown in Donetsk region, has become a war zone. Their own house and apartment were left in ruins. Now they are forced to rent a house in Lviv region. The war took away not only their home, but also their peace and future. His mother has to constantly look for money to pay for rent, medicines and the rehabilitation Serhii needs. Every day they face challenges – financial, emotional, and social.

Serhii is an inquisitive and talented boy. His eyes always shine when he is doing puzzles or coloring his favorite pictures. These activities give him joy and, perhaps, for a moment allow him to forget about how difficult it is for him to move around. But his biggest dream is to walk on his own like other children.

His mother knows that the path to this is not easy, but she believes that rehabilitation courses can give her child this chance. The treatment is expensive, and she cannot pay for it on her own.

The boy and his mother do not lose hope. They dream that someday Serhii will be able to confidently step towards his future.

Each of us can help make this dream come true. Because when there is support, even the most difficult roads become possible.