Parents' Letter (May 21, 2012)
I am a disabled child's mother. Sofia is the second child in our family. She is nine years old. Sofia had been born healthy, but after receiving polio vaccine at 5 months she was paralysed and rushed to the emergency department's resuscitation area.
Sonya does remedial gymnastics and we can see the results. When Sonya is wearing special footwear, orthoses and splints she can walk with my help. I started teaching her how to swim when she was 9 months old. And now she can swim by herself in the swimming pool.
My daughter goes to school №130, to an integrated class. She is rather hardworkig and is among top three students in the class. She loves school and her classmates. Sonya participates in all school events. The kids in class cheer for her and support her in everything.
Sonya and I are members of Mandarin wheelchair dance group. Moms and their children in wheel chairs dance together. We give performances. Sofia is also enrolled with a chess club and dreams of becoming a chess champion.
I am trying hard to make my kid's childhood happy and go beyond the limits Sofia's disease imposes.
Unfortunately, due to the intensive growth the state of Sofia's legs has deteriorated. We need a surgical treatment called gradual fibrotomy to be able to imrove Sofia's quality of life and increase opportunities for her.
After the surgery is performed I will order an orthopedic apparatus which will enable Sofia to walk on her own.
The surgical treatment will be carried out in Tula by Dr Shishov.
I am asking you to help me pay for the operation.
Thank you,
June 1, 2012
