Hello. My name is Olya. I am a mum of an incredible girl Ksyusha, she is 13 years old. Ksyusha has cerebral palsy, she does not walk, does not sit, does not hold her head, but she understands everything. My daughter was born at 29-30 weeks of pregnancy, weighing 1495 grams and 43 cm tall. The labour was not quite smooth, and later, due to lack of proper care, Ksyu had a respiratory arrest. The baby spent 30 days on ventilator. Then she slowly got better. At two months we were released home. Unfortunately, in the city where I lived, we were not diagnosed for a long time, they just said the muscles were weak. At 9 months we took Ksyusha to Vladivostok, where we were given a preliminary diagnosis of cerebral palsy and two days later we started our first course of rehabilitation....
During this difficult period Ksyusha's father could not accept the diagnosis and disappeared from our life. We went through many rehabilitation courses in Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Moscow, China, Sochi, Anapa, St. Petersburg.
And in 2017 I realised that it was impossible for my special child to live, learn and develop in our small city. I was able to find an employment (I self-taught myself aerodesign), thanks to which I was able to save some money and fly to St. Petersburg a year later! To the city where my child had a chance for a happy, full childhood.
Now we also live together, I work in a school for children with disabilities, as my children tell me: "I am three in one", I am a geography teacher, class teacher and educator. In the same school my Ksyu is studying. In 2021, after suffering from Covid, I had serious health problems... I was diagnosed with a very difficult myasthenia gravis. It is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterised by pathologically rapid muscle fatigue. Before the operation, it was a living hell. It's much better now. Not like before the disease... But if you have something to compare it with, you begin to appreciate and be grateful for the condition you are in.
Ksyusha is a very active and diverse child despite her physical condition. Besides, she is a real traveller. Every walk is a holiday for her. She is even ready not to eat or drink as long as possible to spend time out of the house. Water is her element. Even St. Petersburg rain, which many people do not like, for her is a beautiful phenomenon and a reason to smile. Holidays to the sea and Cyprus are her huge dream!!!! Due to my illness, work and studies all year round we rarely go anywhere... and this is very frustrating for Ksyusha. All year long she is waiting for summer in the hope to see the sea!!!!
She will be incredibly happy if you can fulfil her dream.
At times I have to stay late at work and go on school holidays. Ksyu also patiently walks with me. She really is a huge smart girl and my hero! And deserves to have her dream come true.
Respectfully,
Mum Olga
*The donation fee includes:
Airline tickets to Cyprus
Transfer Larnaca-Paphos
Programme for 12 days
Petrol expenses
Meals
Excursions
Entertainment
