Little Matthew, great thirst for life

This is a story about the will to live. A little boy who chose to fight for life from the first moments of his existence. He was born weighing only 900 grams, and the world around him seemed too complicated for such a tiny heart. But Matviyko decided that this world was his, and he would not stop.

Since birth, the boy has been on a mechanical ventilator. At the age of 4 months, he underwent a complex intestinal surgery. After that, he spent endless 144 days on a ventilator. At the age of 1 year and 7 months, the boy was finally discharged from the hospital. The diagnosis was cerebral palsy, spastic tetraparesis, internal compensated hydrocephalus, level 5 motor disorders, paresthetic kyphoscoliosis of 1-11 degrees, adductor contracture in the TTS, equinovalgus of the feet, complex myopic astigmatism of both eyes, delayed statokinetic and psycho-linguistic development.

These are definitely not the memories that childhood should leave. But a diagnosis is not a sentence, it is just an obstacle that a child overcomes step by step. Holding his head up for the first time, sitting unsupported, reaching for a toy or trying to make an independent step – for some people these are common things, but for Matviyko these are real achievements that open up new horizons for him.

For several years now, the boy has been persistently engaged in rehabilitation. These sessions are yielding results: he has begun to hold his head, can sit on the couch without support, lying on his tummy, tries to roll over, has become more interested in the environment, begins to make new sounds and emotionally react to changes in the environment around him, has begun to lean more on the support and is trying to take his first steps, but still with support.

Every day for Matviy is another chance to get closer to his dream: to stand on his feet, walk in the park, run with his friends. But for this day to come, he needs support. Rehabilitation is his opportunity to move forward without stopping there.

This story is not about difficulties, but about incredible strength of character. Matviy teaches us that any obstacles can be overcome if you go forward with faith. He deserves his chance, and he knows exactly how to take it.

Every support is more than a help. It is an opportunity for Matviy to continue to create his miracle, proving that even the wildest dreams can become reality.