When trouble knocks at the door, it doesn't ask

Yaroslav is an inquisitive seventh grader with a charming smile and a lot of hobbies and interests. He was born a healthy child and grew up without any developmental pathologies. But one day the life of his family has changed forever; it turned out that at the age of 4 a rare and insidious disease, called Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), appeared in the boy’s body and gradually weakens him.

Now Yaroslav is 14 years old and he will never be able to walk again, but he tries not to lose his heart and continues to study; he is fond of mathematics and computer science, and loves reading. Like any boy of his age, Yaroslav dreams of the future –  he has a dream of becoming a veterinary in order to treat and save animals. Yarik also likes sculpting various figures from plasticine. Unfortunately, it becomes more and more difficult to do this, because of his unruly fingers, but he does not give up!

DMD is a rare genetic disease, the causes of which are still uninvestigated, but it is studied that a newborn with this diagnosis may be born in any family. DMD affects boys and is characterized by gradual progressive muscular dystrophy. There is a gradual atrophy of muscles throughout the body from legs to heart, which is also a muscle. The average life of patients with this diagnosis is 24-30 years, today this disease is incurable. Boys gradually lose the ability to move and need constant care and treatment. The disease has a ‘plateau’ phase. It means that one day the muscles of legs fail, the boy falls and no longer stands up, he becomes a wheelchair-bound. Breathing problems force to use an oxygen mask. At some time problems with the muscles of swallowing occur to children, phlegm accumulates and without coughing up they can die even from a common cold. According to the stage of the disease, such children need exercise bikes, orthoses, verticalizers, functional beds, wheelchairs, coughs, ventilators and other special equipment. Medicine makes progress, the quality of life with DMD and its duration largely depend on early treatment.

Yaroslav's family life is not simple; on the one hand, the child needs high-quality care, on the other hand, the constant problem of finding money for treatment and rehabilitation arises. Yaroslav's mother Natalia tries to be strong, this sweet blonde woman does her utmost to make every day of her son's life filled with joy and happiness, but no matter how hard she endeavors, she can’t provide her son with everything necessary for treatment.

Yaroslav needs to intake expensive drugs during all his lifetime, do exercise therapy remedial gymnastics, physiotherapy and special equipment. Unfortunately, funds for treatment and provision of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are not provided by fiscal programs. According to officials, this disease is very rare and the treatment is extremely expensive. But how one can count money when it comes to children's lives? All this requires considerable funds, which Yaroslav's family is unable to provide. The boy's life directly depends on treatment of high quality.

It is difficult for us in life full of everyday affairs and worries to think that there is a person somewhere who needs support and sincere affection. But the awareness of aid and that we made a person's life a little easier and more joyful by giving a helping shoulder at right time undoubtedly enriches our own life. Such children as Yaroslav check our society and each individual against maturity and responsibility. The dream of boy’s life is that the children all over the world be happy, not sick. Unfortunately, Yaroslav can’t get better entirely, but we can help him receive proper treatment and improve his quality of life, even prolong it!