Mykhailo, Mykhailo, where is your smile? 4

When you are at the age of 20, you realize that endless work, trainings and painful injections are not the lost labor; now due to this hard work you can laugh and rejoice, surround yourself with many friends and have fun, have plans for the future and dream of long journeys! But for a young lad, who is constantly dreaming of long travels and new horizons, this is not enough. As a matter of fact, the disease still shackles his body, sometimes strained muscles remind of pain in every movement and his mother still accompanies him all the time.

Mykhailo was the second of the newborn twins, born prematurely in the 34th week of pregnancy. Due to a gross medical error and the doctors’ negligence, his little sister died during the delivery and the son was taken to the resuscitation. А few months later, the diagnosis of cerebral palsy, spastic tetraparesis, changed the Misha’s mother’s life forever. Numerous medical examinations, injections and stretch marks, exhausting remedial exercises and massages instead of walks and toys, first words and steps – this path was spaced out over 20 long years. A tall, cheerful and merry fellow, who loves travelling and his friends, enjoys listening to “Океан Ельзи” band, has grown out of a little, gravely sick and almost motionless boy. Owing to the persistent treatment and the help of a huge number of so wonderful and caring people, Misha was able to undergo intensive rehabilitation courses, medical treatment and several operations during all these years.

The child has learned to talk and laugh, he even tries to sing! Together we have overcome all the stages of verticalization (holding the head, crawling, endeavour to stand, etc.) and now he walks and even runs with the help of a rollator with great pleasure. But the disease is so insidious and seizes the lad in a death grip. That’s why his muscles are painfully strained, his movements are constrained which makes Mike’s strong body to sweat even in winter. The only thing to do is an intensive course of treatment at the Bersenev Medical Center which not only relaxes the whole body in a safe way and helps to increase the movement rate, but also gives a powerful incentive to master new motor skills.

Mykhailo is trying to move with a walking stick. He aims to move himself, and to attain this end he keeps training almost every day. After the last course of treatment Myshko felt very relaxed, moves much more confidently with rollators and even becomes proficient in running! He moves around the house and on the street himself for the first time, practically without making any mistakes and falling.

But in order the lad's dream came true he needs to undertake regular courses of treatment. The next course the son requires is scheduled for autumn. The only support and helping shoulder for Mykhailo's mother was his grandmother, who died a few years ago. Now the mom and her kid are living together, she is unable to work because she takes care of her son.

Myshko hopes for your help a lot! He knows that there are many kind and good people around. Let’s help the boy to achieve his cherished dream of travelling himself (without his mother) with his friends through the endless sites of our beautiful country!