Makar: the road to freedom of movement. 5

Makar loves life and people above all else. Despite his severe form of cerebral palsy and the daily pain caused by spasticity, he finds the strength to engage with the world and loves being where the action is: on crowded buses, at bustling markets, and at concerts featuring real artists. The boy, who still cannot say a single word, manages to “sing” along with the performers and “dance” in his parents’ arms. His superpower is a smile capable of melting any ice.

But behind that smile lies an exhausting daily struggle. The child is growing, and what once seemed like a temporary challenge is now becoming a real ordeal for the family. His body is getting heavier, and his spasticity more insidious.

“It’s already hard to lift him, hold him, carry him…”, his mother’s words are filled with pain and a reality that is hard to imagine. Everyday tasks – bathing the child, transferring him to a chair, going down the stairs in a house without ramps – turn into a complex logistical operation. Although Makar wants to move, his brain craves movement, but his uncooperative body keeps the boy captive.

Yet there are results, and they are inspiring! Each rehabilitation session brings small but vital achievements: after the sessions, his muscle tone decreases, and the boy finally finds it easier to breathe and move. His hands, which were previously tightly clenched, begin to open. Makar holds toys more confidently and tries to roll over on his own. He has become more attentive, more responsive, and more resilient during sessions.

For Makar, rehabilitation offers a chance to be heard, a chance to temporarily break free from the iron grip of spasticity and feel a little more free.

The Nastenko family are displaced persons trying to rebuild their lives from scratch in a rented apartment. The father has serious health issues following a heart attack, so he cares for his son; only the mother works. The family cannot afford to pay for treatment at a specialized center on their own.

Makar really wants to be part of this world: to sing, to communicate, to feel freedom in his body. Please support this boy. Your compassion will help ease the child’s pain, support his exhausted parents, and give Makar a chance to take another confident step toward his dreams.