Meet Sasha: “It’s hurts,” Sasha says softly, as he slowly pushes the outside of his hands against the rubber band encircling them. He’s demonstrating a technique taught to him by a Chernobyl Children International physical therapist. His face is determined as he pushes past the pain. Sasha is 16 years old. He lives in an apartment in Minsk, Belarus with his grandmother, Leokadia. He has muscular torsion disorder -- a progressive, genetic disease that causes painful muscle contractions and constant pain. The disease has no cure, and leads to painful and permanent disability. Sasha is part of Chernobyl Children International’s Community Care program. The program gives families the support the need to care for their seriously ill and disabled children at home. “The physical therapy is critical, absolutely critical, to managing and slowing down this disease,” says Leokadia. “He’s 16 years old. He doesn’t want to live his life in a wheelchair. Before the therapy started, he couldn’t get himself off the floor. Now, he stands. He can do 50 push ups!” “I want to walk,” says Sasha. Leocadia continues, “Every single day, we work at it. CCI sends a physical and occupational therapist. We use what we learn to practice between visits. Look at that exercise bike -- we spent our last money on it! He uses it every day to build up his strength.” “He is very disciplined -- he just doesn’t give up. He never gets to see any friends. Between studying, he does his therapy and watches romantic movies.” “Every day, I pray to God for the strength to put that boy on his feet, to help him achieve what he dreams of. We have faith that things will get better. We just have to keep working and believe it.” (Photos by Alex Kladov) Please support our Community Care program with your donation at chernobyl-international
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:05:00 +0000
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