Through tears to victory! 3

Kyrylo Titov is already 8 years old and most part of these years he spent in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. He was born extremely prematurely, on 26th week, weighing 1,200 g. He started his struggle for life with his first breath. The baby balanced between life and death for three months. Kyrylo was saved thanks to incredible efforts. However, the consequences of the premature birth were horrible – at the age of 1 year, Kyrylo couldn’t hold his head, walk, crawl, sit or turn. People said to his mother: "Refuse from him, he will never walk or speak, why suffering…".

However, the parents did not give up, they worked hard with the baby – two weeks of rehabilitation, two weeks at home and this lasted for three years. As a result, the child could walk and speak, not at the age of one or two years but at three and a half. First, he walked sideways, like a crab. The incorrect walk caused spinal curvature. This resulted in hip bone deformation. The deformation has stopped thanks to long-term rehabilitation at Koziavkin Clinic, massages, physical therapy, wearing the special orthosis. Now the main thing is to hold the result. Kyrylo’s walk improved after the last rehabilitation course, he steps more confidently with his right foot, spasticity in feet and right hand decreased.

Now Kyrylo is a pupil of the 2nd form. It is hard for him to study the school program, however, he is doing his best. It is also important to have a good team - if he falls, the children help to get up, if he can not go up or go down the stairs – they will give support. Kyrylo has a dream - to dance on the big stage and he does everything to achieve it. Kyrylo is a very cheerful guy, but sometimes he also cries. For example, when children go on holidays and he goes for rehabilitation, or when children go to play and he goes to physical therapy and massage, etc. Then he calms down, thinks a little, and says: "Mom when do we have the next session? I don't want to go back to the stroller, let's go work."

Strong will and dedication will surely lead Kyrylo to victory! All they need is financial support because the family does not have enough money. The next course is scheduled for July. The cost of a rehabilitation course is 20,480 UAH. Please support Kirill in his struggle!

Name: Kyrylo Titov, 08.21.2011

City: Odessa

Diagnosis: cerebral palsy, right hemiparesis