Vladislav Zarovskiy, 20 y.o.

Our son was born in May two thousand and five as our long-awaited, beloved child. We waited for him a lot and did everything to make sure he was born healthy. Our love is always enough for him. Unfortunately, something went wrong. The son was born prematurely, and there were serious complications in the hospital - his stomach was punctured, which caused peritonitis. On his sixth day of life he underwent surgery, during which part of his stomach was removed.

However, the most difficult problems were neurological. The birth was very hard, and the lack of professional medical care in the first days of life destroyed his future and our dreams of a healthy, happy life. Many people say that at that time our world was divided into “before” and “after.”

There was not a single day, not a single minute, that we did not pray for a happy life for him and for the improvement of his physical and emotional condition. We do everything to make him happy, although it is a huge challenge. Every day we struggle with rehabilitation, looking for new methods and ways to give him at least a little more chance for independence. Support is essential - both mentally and physically. Our son is completely dependent on us and every daily activity requires assistance, which greatly limits his abilities.

We went through many rehabilitation camps, visited a lot of specialists, trying to improve his comfort in life. In two thousand twenty-one he underwent spinal surgery - SDR, which removed the spasticity in his lower extremities. But unfortunately, his feet have become deformed, and he may be facing another orthopedic surgery to improve the alignment of his legs and make it easier to function.

We use the latest technology and rehabilitation equipment, but the most important thing is constant, uninterrupted rehabilitation. In children with permanent cerebral palsy, even one day's interruption can worsen the condition, because spasticity knows no mercy. That's why we are constantly looking for funds and financial help from foundations, donors and good people, because we can't shoulder the burden alone. I take care of my son around the clock, and only my husband works to support the family.

We were already used to this kind of life, its pace and challenges, but then the war started. It destroyed what we had built up over the years, broke permanent ties and greatly worsened my son's mental state, which increased spasticity and worsened his physical condition. We went to Warsaw, where we sought additional help from specialists and continued rehabilitation.

We have put a lot of work into this - our family, our son and all the good people who support us. We have to keep moving forward, doing everything so that our son can handle himself, eat independently or answer the phone. We are fighting for these simple things that for other children are the beginning of life.

Our son is a very talented, smart and empathetic person. Always full of positive energy, with a smile on his face, sincere and open to people. He speaks four languages, has an exceptional memory and great hearing. He sings so beautifully that the heart tugs at the pain of seeing such a talented person trapped by spasticity.