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Vica
“My youngest daughter, Victoria (Vica) had an injury during her birth. Her diagnosis was spondylosis, hypotrophia, left leg fracture and right hip dislocation. Vica is a very smart and joyful girl. Her birthday is October 4. Now she is 16. In spite of her contidion, Vica thinks about her future with optimism. She has been a Christian for two years. She studies very well. Her teachers come to our house and teach her at home. Vica likes to be with her friends, to read books, and to make embroidery. Because of her health problems, Vica cannot walk by herself. Our American friends from Nita Hanson’s organization, God’s Hidden Treasures, provided us a wheelchair. Now Vica has a possibility to ride for a walk. We are so thankful for this help. But we still have many other problems with Vica’s health, and to resolve them, we need financial resources, which we do not have. We thank you in advance for your attention to our needs.”
Cathy knew she had to offer some help to this family and she immediately signed up to be a part of our Sponsor-A-Family Program. Each month Cathy sends in a donation, which is placed in an account in Bila Tserkva, for Vica’s medical needs. Cathy keeps Vica in her prayers and sends her little gifts for birthdays and Christmas. Vica can read and write a little English and Cathy has been able to correspond directly with her. Cathy says, “It makes me feel as if I am an extended part of Vica’s family, the amount I send each month is small but it makes such a big difference to Victoria and her family. I feel blessed being able to help.” In her third year of support Cathy is proud to announce that Vica is now attending Law School and that she her greatest joy would be to attend her graduation. Volodya Volodya was born in April 1988 and shortly after birth he was diagnosed with an unusual malformation of his left hip, thigh and knee. The government recognized him as a “Chernobyl victim” and as such he was offered medical care. When he was eight years old he was sent to Germany for treatment. In Germany the specialists suggested a two-phase approach. First they would correct his hip joint, then later lengthening rods would be inserted into his thigh and slowly his thigh would be extended. The first surgery was successfully completed in Germany and he went back to Ukraine to recuperate. When it came time for the second surgery, the German doctors suggested that the surgery could be performed in Kiev, Ukraine. Using the German procedure and apparatus, the rods were installed in Volodya’s thigh, and that is when things started to go drastically wrong. First he contracted a staph infection at the site and the rods had to be removed, his leg was then placed in a cast which caused three fractures in the thigh bone. Another surgery was performed to set these fractures and he was again placed in a cast. The bones did grow together but not in the correct position; again another surgery, followed by more casting and new installation of rods. After a total of nine surgeries his left hip became so eroded that it could no longer hold the thigh bone in place. To add to this tragedy, his left leg was now approximately six inches shorter than his right leg, leaving him with a totally non-functional leg which dangles uselessly at his side. Today Volodya uses crutches to get around. He would like to have his leg amputated so that he could be fitted with a prosthesis. However, because of the damage to his left hip, the doctors in Ukraine do not recommend this. Volodya’s dream is to one day come to America where he believes something could be done for his condition. Volodya lives with his mother and grandmother in a cramped apartment in Bila Tserkva. A handsome young man, he enjoys his computer, learning English and meeting people .He holds no bitterness for his condition, instead encouraging others who, like him, have been victims of the Chernobyl accident. God’s Hidden Treasures has formed a support group for disabled teenagers in the Bila Tserkva area and Volodya volunteered to be its first president and in that capacity he reaches out to help others. This 14-year-old loves to play all types of sports. An energetic kid who has trouble sitting still, he looks the picture of health; but lurking beneath this healthy exterior is a time bomb, for Vladislav has Juvenile Diabetes. Vlad was only four years old when he was diagnosed with this insidious disease, also know as Type I or insulin-dependent diabetes. Vlad must receive insulin injections four times per day which is very costly for the average Ukrainian family. A monthly donation of $50 through GHT’s Sponsor-a-Family Program is actually a life-saving gift. With this money the family is able to purchase high quality insulin, buy the necessary glucometer strips to measure his blood sugar approximately 4-5 times per day, and purchase fresh fruit, meat and vegetables which are necessary foods for him to maintain good health. Due to the diligence of his mother and the ability to provide the necessary medical equipment and supplies Vlad has maintained fairly good health. But even so, he does have some vision problems associated with his condition and often complains of weakness in his legs. For the last three years Vlad and his mother have participated in the Annual GHT Camp. His mother, a nurse, assists the medical staff at the camp while Vlad has an opportunity to play his beloved sports, help the children who have physical disabilities, learn about the Bible, and generally have a week of fun. His mother writes that Vlad looks forward to the camp all year. It is definitely one of the highlights of his life!
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