Meet Anya and Sveta: “The doctor says if she lives until age 15, it will be a miracle,” says Sveta, as her daughter Anya tumbles happily on the floor of their flat in Minsk, Belarus. Anya is 6 years old. She has cerebral palsy, systemic lupus erythematosus and hepatitis. As her mother speaks, Anya laughs delightedly at her movements. She seems to be showing off. “Just look at her playing -- she‘s so happy now. This time last year, she could barely move. Because of her lupus and hepatitis, no one would treat her. Her limbs contracted horribly from lack of therapy. Then Chernobyl Children International found us. Only CCI was willing to help.” Anya is part of CCI’s Community Care program. It gives families the support they need to care for their seriously ill and disabled children at home instead of put them in an institution. “The results are amazing -- absolutely amazing. I am so happy. I never would have believed results like this are possible. CCI sends us an occupational therapist and a physical therapist. Between visits, my husband Ruslan and I work very hard with Anya.” “Ruslan and I do the best we can to handle all this, to keep our home happy and positive, and to focus on the good results we are getting, in spite of Anya’s poor prognosis. Anya’s such a Daddy’s Girl! Now she and Ruslan can play together on the floor. Before CCI, she had no interest in life -- but look at her now!” You can support our Community Care program with your donation at chernobyl-international (Photos by Alex Kladoff)
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 11:48:00 +0000
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