Stefania's dream. 4

Stefania is a five-year-old girl with a charming, sincere smile and large, inquisitive eyes. She knows all the numbers up to ten, is learning the alphabet, does mosaics, loves music, and even tells stories to her toys. But every movement she makes is a daily struggle.

Stephanie has cerebral palsy. Because of her illness, she cannot yet walk on her own, but is trying to sit up. She also has complications – delayed motor skills development, vision problems, and strabismus. However, despite everything, the girl remains extremely diligent and curious – every day she discovers something new, rejoices in small things, and loves to play with her older sister Mariyka.

Stefa's family was forced to move twice – first in 2014 from Luhansk, and then in 2022, when the war forced them to look for a safe place again. They now live in Poltava. All these years, her parents have been doing everything possible to help their daughter: they work with her at home, take her to a speech therapist and the swimming pool. But after home lessons and simple exercises, it is impossible to achieve significant progress – professional help from rehabilitation specialists and special equipment are needed.

In the summer, Stefania underwent a complex operation on her legs. The doctors did everything they could to reduce muscle tension and enable her legs to move properly. After a month in a cast, it is very difficult for the girl to return to activity – her muscles have weakened and spasticity is returning.

The child needs rehabilitation to recover from surgery and strengthen her body. Treatment is planned at the International Center for Rehabilitation and Neurophysiology in Kyiv. Stefania has already undergone courses there, and the results were noticeable – the girl began to keep her balance better and move her arms and torso more confidently.

Unfortunately, the family cannot afford to pay for the new course on their own.

We ask you to help little Stefania not to stop on her way to her first independent step.