Strength for a Little Dreamer

Eight-year-old Andriiko weighs only 20 kg. He could play the ball on the playground, but instead he fights for his health every day. When children choose ice cream or chocolate, Andrii chooses what to eat so that it doesn't get worse.

Due to the stress experienced by his mother Viktoria, the baby was born at 35 weeks of pregnancy with signs of hypoxia. Later, doctors diagnosed him with hypoxic-ischemic CNS damage.

At one and a half years old, the boy stopped talking, looking into the eyes, waving his arms like wings, and became selective in eating. Three years later, he was diagnosed with childhood autism.

Andrii lives with his mother and great-grandmother. The father does not participate in the child's life. The family has the status of IDPs: in 2014, they left their native Donetsk, becoming homeless.

For the last 3.5 years, the family lived in a Dnipro shelter, but had to move out of there. Andrii started having allergic rhinitis, and doctors warned that if he doesn’t change his place of residence, it could develop into bronchial asthma.

The family is currently renting an apartment. Disability payments go to pay the rent. After that, Viktoria only has UAH 1,000 per month left for all other needs. Andrii has congenital lactase deficiency. Currently, doctors allow him to eat regular food, except for cereals. But the lack of skills hinders him: although the boy regularly works with speech therapists, he can’t chew. At first, food was ground with a blender, now his mother kneads it with a fork.

Despite all the trials, Andrii amazes with his abilities. At the age of 3, he learned the Ukrainian, English, and Russian alphabets on his own. In the second grade, he reads and counts well. After moving from the shelter, the boy had a breakthrough in self-care – he washes his hands, brushes his teeth, and dresses himself.

Andriiko loves to build cities out of blocks, play with trains, and ride on swings. His main dream is to play football. Unfortunately, the family has no money for football lessons.

Several years ago, Andrii's digestive system failed. He developed nausea and abdominal pain, and his weight dropped sharply. In addition to chronic gastroduodenitis, the boy has protein-energy malnutrition. He weighs 20 kg - critically low for his age.

To grow and gain strength, Andrii needs special nutrition: Nutricia Liquigen, Nutridrink Compact Fibre, and Milupa puree. Their cost for six months is unaffordable for the family. Let's help Andrii! Every hryvnia is another chance for him to grow and develop!