"I just want my son to live without pain"

Matvii is a child who fights every single day for the life he dreams of. He is only 9 years old – but has already been through so much. Matvii has an incredible inner strength, a bright soul, and a deep belief in miracles. Every day, he struggles not only with diagnoses but also with pain, confusion, fatigue… and silence.

Matvii was born with the help of vacuum extraction. Due to complications during childbirth, he suffered oxygen deprivation. In the first years of his life, his mother noticed that Matvii was not interested in the world around him, didn’t play with other children, and didn’t speak. He stumbled and fell often, couldn’t navigate space. At first, there was hope that he would “grow out of it,” but over time it became clear – he needed help.

Eventually, doctors diagnosed him with speech delay, autism spectrum disorder, coordination issues, and low muscle tone. The family started therapies – massages, medications, speech therapy – but there was little progress.

In 2022, Matvii experienced seizures. An MRI revealed a frightening result: isolated gliosis lesions in the brain. This means that some of the brain cells have died and cannot regenerate. The damage affected the speech center — which means that no matter how hard he tries, Matvii may never be able to speak. It was the consequence of birth hypoxia.

But the family didn’t give up. Even after doctors said “there is no treatment,” his mother kept fighting. She reached out to international clinics and consulted foreign specialists. And they gave hope: if the brain is still functioning – if motor skills, attention, and response remain – stem cell therapy may help.

In March 2024, the family completed the first stem cell procedure. Then a second. Alongside, they continued rehabilitation and school with an assistant. And results began to appear: better reactions, interest in learning, some improvement in coordination.

But the treatment must continue. The family has exhausted all resources and now desperately needs support.

"I’m not asking for a miracle. I just want my son to be able to speak. To live without pain. To walk without fear of falling. To live like other children," says Matvii’s mom.

Today, the family needs funds for the next course of rehabilitation. This is critical to preserve the progress already made – and prevent regression.

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