Yana is fighting – we are there for her

Yana's childhood ended at 9 months when she developed viral encephalitis. Today she is 15, and every day is a struggle for her.

Up until nine months, cheerful Yana reached for toys, knew how to sit and roll over. But viral encephalitis changed her life: epileptic seizures began, she lost all skills. Later, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy was added to Yana's card.

Yana has a swallowing reflex disorder, is underweight, so she is fed through a nasogastric tube. The girl does not know how to cough, so her relatives use an aspirator. Yana constantly needs medications and special nutrition. The list is long: Depakine, Lazolvan, Maltofer, Microlax, Nurofen, Omeprazole, Pancreatin, Pulmicort and Resource Junior formula. This costs 35,867 UAH per month.

Yana is taken care of by her grandparents. Her parents have a neurological disability and need help themselves. The grandmother walks with a crutch, which is a consequence of a hip fracture. The grandfather has oncology, but he cannot go to the hospital, so he takes care of his granddaughter.

Yana does not speak, but she responds to speech. She recently learned to pronounce vowel sounds, the first steps towards communication. She is happy when she hears familiar voices, smiles when listening to music and the children's Bible. She also loves it when the dog Bim licks her feet.

In January 2023, Yana's condition worsened and she was admitted to intensive care. Yana weighed 23 kg: doctors diagnosed protein-energy deficiency and digestive disorders. Then they prescribed Resource Junior nutrition. In 2 years, Yana gained 5 kg, her hemoglobin increased, and she gained strength: she can even stand for a short time with support.

But the seizures have become more frequent and stronger, so Yana has an EEG scheduled for autumn. After that, the doctor can adjust the dose of the anticonvulsant drug.

Now the supply of nutrition and drugs that we provided Yana with last year is running out. We are launching a fundraiser to provide the girl with Resource Junior special nutrition and medication for three months. Your help today is her strength tomorrow. Friends, let's support Yana again!