Little Olya dreams to be healthy

Eight-year-old Olya was born prematurely at 30 weeks and suffered many complications. She was put in the NICU and was connected to a ventilator for eight days for breathing support. Newborn Olya also underwent a blood transfusion and was administered strong medication.

After some time, Olya started responding to the treatment; she began breathing independently and gaining weight. When Olya weighed 2kg, she was discharged from the hospital. Her mum, Svetlana, received discharge recommendations, including follow-up exams and other checks that required them to return to the hospital. Every month, Svetlana would bring Olya for a check-up. Doctors checked Olya's hearing and eyesight and conducted a cranial ultrasound. Everything seemed fine at first, but as the baby's muscle tone increased, she showed signs of swallowing difficulties and started screaming excessively. Doctors also found that the pressure around the brain had increased. Olya developed an ocular misalignment, and epileptiform activity was detected in the brain. Olya was diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). 

Olya, now aged eight, requires regular physical rehabilitation treatments to lead a healthy life with CP. She has already attended 20 rehabilitation courses that have helped her significantly. The physical therapy courses have helped Olya's strength, flexibility, balance, motor development and mobility. She has been learning new skills, and her speech abilities have been gradually improving. It is a very important time for Olya as she has started school this year. 

Sadly, our system does not offer medical help to children with disabilities at a sufficient level. Olya needs to attend physical therapy courses several times a year. Even as an average-income Ukrainian family, Olya's parents cannot afford the costly treatments she requires. They have exhausted all their resources. Olya's parents have no other option than to turn to charities for help. 

We want to help Olya by raising funds for her rehabilitation course. By donating to this project, you are giving a chance for a child with cerebral palsy to live a healthier life!