The war that destroyed Dasha Kharchenko's life

Dasha was only seven years old when her family doctor, examining her, noticed that the girl was sitting unevenly, hunched over to one side, and advised her parents to take her to an orthopedist. The doctor they consulted did not hide his fears for the future, but for now he prescribed wearing a corset.

But Dasha's spine bent more and more to the side with each passing month, squeezing the organs, preventing her from walking, sitting, and breathing normally. Several years passed like this. And now in 2022 – a new examination, and the orthopedic doctor is now categorical: "The operation must be done urgently. Then it will be too late. But for now, everything can be fixed", recalls the words of the doctor, Yevgeny, Dasha's father.

The day was appointed – February 24, 2022. In the morning, they gathered at the hospital to go to the hospital, their mother prepared clothes, and their father promised to take them. But at dawn, the sky above their village near Kharkiv rumbled ominously with missiles.

– We had a referral to the hospital. I myself work in medicine and took a day off to go to the hospital. But my doctor from Kharkiv called and said: stay home, this is what is happening here, – recalls Yevhen.

So instead of a hospital ward, Dasha ended up in a damp cellar, where they fled when the bombing began. From the first day of the war and for almost two weeks they sat there, afraid of explosions.

– The child's back was twisted, numb from sitting for a long time, the dampness caused a strong cough, the daughter was very scared, – says Yevhen. – But the main thing: no one could answer the child's question when they would go to the hospital to straighten her back.

A few weeks later, Dasha and her parents were evacuated to central Ukraine, her relatives took them in – albeit in cramped conditions, but still as family. Dasha’s back ached more and more, but she kept quiet. It seemed to her that if she said anything, it would be even harder for her parents.

A month and a half later, they returned home – near Kharkiv. Fortunately, the village and their house survived. But the family had more worries.

– My wife lost her job and couldn’t find a new one, the factory where she worked closed. The school was made distance learning, and my daughter has to sit in front of the computer for seven lessons in a row, which is why her back hurts terribly. The war has made life very difficult for all of us, – says Yevhen.

Dasha and her parents recently went to the doctor again. The same orthopedic doctor Andrey Mezentsev looked at her pictures and shook his head: it got worse, the operation cannot be postponed. Everything needs to be decided urgently. But where will the money come from?

According to Yevgeny, the metal structure to strengthen the child's spine will cost 180 thousand. This is the amount doctors call. For their family, it is a huge amount of money.

Only the father works in the family, there is no other income. They are very ashamed, but they see no other way out than to ask for help. Dasha sincerely believes that in this world, which has shown itself from such a cruel side, there will be many kind and sympathetic people who will help her. Some of the funds have already been raised, but there is still 158,050 UAH left to purchase titanium implants. There are also additional costs for rehabilitation, which is a catastrophically large amount.

If you can help save the child, let her breathe freely and move without feeling pain – make your contribution to Dasha's recovery. The family will be infinitely grateful!