Small Klym is a prisoner of a terrible disease

Khanenko is a happy family of four. Oleksandra and Andriy bring up two children – Vlad is the eldest son (10 years old) and Klym is the youngest (3 years old). One day parents discovered that something was wrong with Klym. When he was 1 year and a half, he could not sit. However, the doctors told parents that everything will be alright and it’s quite normal as all children are different.  

But their expectations and hopes were not realized… After thousands examinations, the boy’s illness was diagnosed as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). He was only 1 year old then. There is no cure for this disease in Ukraine; it is possible to be cured only in the USA, Canada, Germany or Italy. This is a terrible genetic disorder that gradually destroys all muscles. Parents are disappointed; don’t know what to do in order to put their child on his feet.

Klym can only lie and sit with assistance. His mother does him massage every evening; family doesn’t have much money for professional massage courses. They can afford professional procedures only once a month. It is like a drop in the ocean for the little boy. Family is always short of money because muscle pain medications are needed. But they can be bought only abroad.

In 2019 Khanenko family collected signatures about the problem of SMA diseased children actively to be considered by the President of Ukraine. Time and tide wait for no man… Klym can get medical aid at Bersenev Medical Center. Funds for all needs are needed. It’s beyond the family’s powers to support their poor child, so they hope that caring people will respond and give a helping shoulder.

Let’s help this family in their uphill struggle!

Name: Khanenko Klym, 31.08.2016

City: Kyiv

Diagnosis: spinal muscular atrophy of Verding Hoffmann