Side by side – two: brother and sister

Oleksandr and Angelica. Both of them have one mother, both have common childhood. And one diagnosis – for both as well. Side by side: brother and sister. And cystic fibrosis. "Kindergarten, school, dance classes – for Angelica, sport – for Sasha, English, injured knees… Ordinary life, like other kids have. The only thing – the got sick more often than others. – says their mother, – Angelika’s illness developed first. In 2001 they went to "OHMATDYT". There my kids received diagnosis, both in one time. And a fight for life started". Side by side fight.

Angelica is 24 now, she loves horses and riding. She is anime fan and is very interested in Southern Korea, its history and culture. Of course she dreams to go there one day. She loves swimming in the river with her brother, to read, to listen to David Garret (violinist), loves animals. And the most precious dream she had – to have a kitten – just came true! She got a gift – fluffy kitten Tymoha and received not only a pet, but one more friend. What she doesn't like is to be ill, she wants to be healthy and to achieve her goals – she has so many of them!

Her brother Oleksandr is 27. As all kids he attended kindergarten, graduated from school and college, even started to work. He is really a funny guy, always smiling and kidding – even in a hospital bed. He likes to listen to music, to watch detective movies, to rest out of city with relatives and friends. He cannot be just bored without anything to do! He says: "It's really killing me when I have to be a lazybone". But in 2012 he got pneumothorax (lung crash), state of health decreased drastically, and he couldn't attend workplace anymore. He's really sad about it, tries to find some activity… And helps a lot around the house: cooks, takes care of the son and pets… Yes, we meant it, Sasha has his own family. Olga, his wife, didn't get scared of his diagnosis and trusted him not only with her own life but also with her 1-year-old son. Vlad adores his father and Sasha tries to live as long as possible for his son.

Sasha has a real zoo in his house – a parrot, a hamster, a cat and his devoted friend Bara. He wanted a dog for a long time, but didn't have time to take care of it. But now it's his stimulus to leave a real and a full life. The dog helps him not to concentrate too much on his disease. But it won't go away by itself…

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease. It cannot be cured, but daily treatment can significantly prolong life and improve its quality. Creon and Pulmozym – required daily medication. Today Sasha and Angelica during exacerbations experience shortness of breath, heart pounding, they starts to choke. Today, brother and sister need oxygen concentrators – devices that emit air from the ambient and pure oxygen is served to the patient through a special tube. They help to slow disease progression, and brother and sister will not choke.

Help them to live and fulfill their dreams, because their happiness depends precisely on each of us!

Name: Angelica O. Muhtasarova (10/12/1989) and Oleksandr O. Muhtasarov (06.04.1987)

Location: Oleksandriia, Kirovograd region

Diagnosis: Angelica: cystic fibrosis with pancreatic insufficiency, severe flow. Emphysema. Plevrofibroz. Bronchiectasis.

                Olexander: cystic fibrosis with pancreatic insufficiency, medium-heavy flow. Emphysema. Plevrofibroz. Bronchiectasis.