Dream dance of little Yaroslava

There is something magical about dancing; sophisticated movements, elegant manners, incredible costumes, exquisite dresses, and captivating music charm everyone. Yaroslava Chkalova lives by it - she has been dancing in a wheelchair since she was six years old.

Yaroslava was born with a diagnosis of "spina bifida". It is a congenital defect in the spinal cord development when one or more vertebrae form gaps and do not protect the spinal cord. In the first week of life, the girl underwent two surgeries. During 14 years, the child underwent more than 20 surgeries and went through three resuscitations. Yaroslava attends a regular school and likes to spend time with her many friends. The girl loves to draw, read books, sing, but dancing has a special place in her life.

Yaroslava can't walk, but that doesn't stop her from doing her hobby. The girl leads an active lifestyle, participates in various competitions and festivals. Yaroslava played the leading role in the musical "Boundless Dream in a Little Heart". The girl has twice been awarded the "Children is the Pride of Ukraine" medal. The girl's achievements were also highlighted in an encyclopedia, "The Most Outstanding Children of Ukraine". But Yaroslava considers her most significant reward to win Chapkis' cup, an award named after a prominent Ukrainian dancer Hrihorii Chapkis. Also, in October 2017, Yaroslava became the heroine of the "Make a dream come true" project aired on the 1 + 1 TV channel. On the show, she danced live with her favourite actor Akhtem Seitablaev.

Yaroslava loves to dance, but it is very difficult to practice using an ordinary active wheelchair. We decided to help Yaroslava's family raise 42,400 hryvnias to purchase a special dance wheelchair, "Flaer Юнион" (Flyer Union).

We ask you to consider supporting this project and helping to fulfil Yaroslava's dream!