A double blow for the Ivanov family

Twins Andrii and Sofia have a diagnosis of one in two: cerebral palsy. Their older brother Oleg helped their parents raise the children; last summer he died in the battles near Bakhmut. The twins really need our support to undergo 2 more rehabilitation courses.

Sofia and Andrii were born at 35 weeks of pregnancy and spent two months in the hospital while their digestive and respiratory systems matured. They were discharged with a diagnosis of ischemic-hypoxic damage to the central nervous system. One year later, Sonia was diagnosed with tetraparesis, and Andrii was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

In the second year of life, the twins managed to get to the Koziavkin International Rehabilitation Clinic. The leap in development has been great! During their 8 years, brother and sister took more than twenty courses there.

Also, Sofia and Andrii get excellent results every time from classes at the St. John’s Center.

Sonia loves to sing, dance, play the xylophone, draw, and help her mother cook. She adores her brother: she straightens his clothes, hugs and kisses him.

Andrii sits independently and walks on a treadmill. His favorite activity is cycling.

Children understand spoken speech perfectly well, but do not speak yet. Sonia is already able to say “give” and “take”, and Andrii pronounces vowel sounds. Brother and sister study remotely in 1st grade according to an inclusive program. They communicate with the teacher and classmates by typing using their eyes.

In November, Andrii spent 18 days in intensive care with pneumonia under a ventilator at OKHMATDYT in Lviv. After that, he experienced a setback in development, which means he needs to catch up.

During an airborne threat, the family hides behind two walls - parents protect their children as best they can. The older brother of Sonia and Andrii died in the battles near Bakhmut last summer.

In August, the brother and sister are expected at the St. John’s Center to continue working on strengthening their body muscles, hand motor skills, speech, and coordination.

Let's raise the necessary funds for Sonia and Andrey to undergo 2 important rehabilitation courses at the St. John's Centre!