To hear the tramp of the feet

This story is about despair, hope, and miracle. At first, there was a long and difficult path to the two long-awaited strips on the test. And the state of unreal boundless happiness of parents-to-be. And a complete unawareness of what fate has prepared for them. The first alarm bell appeared at 19 weeks, the threat of interruption chained mother until the end of the pregnancy to the hospital bed in the pathology department. It was difficult and disturbing, but she was warmed by the thoughts that everything would end soon, a son would be born, and everything would be fine, and at home, everything would be forgotten like a bad dream. 

Mykyta was born on the 36th week of pregnancy by emergency cesarean section. And it immediately became clear that it would not be good – the baby was very weak, the arms and legs hung like strings, there was no sucking reflex. The conclusion after the examination knocked the ground out from under mother's feet, the feelings of fear and uncertainty were overwhelming. For month doctors, mother and Mykyta himself fought for a fragile little life. Mother forgot about sleep and rest, trying to teach her son to swallow, the reflex was completely absent, and the kid only had enough strength to open his eyes a couple of times a day. Hellish work was crowned with success – the son began to eat on his own.

But even after discharge from the hospital, the child remained very weak. After 3 months, he hadn’t started to hold his head and roll over, there was no support in the legs. At four months, doctors suspected a genetic disease – spinal muscular atrophy type 1. There was only one wish – just to close the eyes and not to wake up, the horror paralyzed... after all, children with this diagnosis do not live longer than 2 years. Two terrible ailments for one little boy! 1.5 months of painful waiting for the result of the genetic analysis. The negative answer that came on Christmas gave hope – a miracle is possible!

And although all the country's neurologists advised parents to simply accept the fact that their son would be immobilized forever, the parents did not give up. The search for information led them to an overseas clinic, where after a series of four-month courses of treatment, amazing results were obtained – the child, who yesterday had no strength to even hold his head, began walking with support! To achieve a fulfilling life there is still a lot of work to be done. But this is no longer a desperate escape from the diagnosis, but systematic work in the rehabilitation centers of Ukraine. Acquired skills need to be consolidated and developed. You can not stop. But the financial capabilities of the family have already been completely exhausted. Help Mykyta become healthy despite everything!

Name: Liamzin Mykyta, 27.08.2016

City: Velyka Chernihivka village, Luhansk region

Diagnosis: the syndrome of movement disorders in the form of sluggish tetraparesis