A STRONG BOY WITH THE BRIGHTEST SMILE
Date of birth: 15.02.2023
City: Kyiv
Diagnosis: Cerebral palsy. Spastic tetraparesis. Global developmental delay, microcephaly. Drug-resistant epileptic encephalopathy resulting from severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, infantile epileptic spasms syndrome.
Kyrylo’s Story
Kyrylo is a cheerful boy with a strong personality, mischievous eyes and a smile that almost never leaves his face. Although he is only three and a half, he has already been through more than many adults ever face.
The pregnancy went smoothly, all tests were normal, and nothing suggested trouble. But the birth turned out to be very long and difficult. Kyrylo was born without his first cry and without a heartbeat, and his brain was left without oxygen. The resuscitation team did the impossible: they restarted the baby’s heart and immediately transferred him to intensive care. Three days on a ventilator, therapeutic cooling of the brain to save as many cells as possible, countless sensors and tubes.
The little boy proved to be a true fighter and recovered quickly. Two weeks in intensive care, two more in the ward, and after a month the family was finally discharged home. But none of the doctors could say how everything he had been through would affect Kyrylo’s future.
A Fight That Continues Every Day
Before long, Kyrylo began having seizures. The prescribed medications did not help, and a long search for treatment began: more than 10 anticonvulsant drugs and several courses of hormone therapy. In three and a half years, the family has still not found a medication that would stop the seizures completely.
The real turning point was the ketogenic diet, which significantly improved the boy’s development. Today Kyrylo takes 4 antiepileptic medications and is fed only through a gastrostomy tube. Thanks to this, he has gained weight, grown stronger and has finally begun to develop.
Since the age of 8 months, Kyrylo has been undergoing rehabilitation at the International Center for Rehabilitation and Neurophysiology, including massage and physical therapy. The journey has not been easy: there has been progress, but there have also been times when rehabilitation made the seizures worse. Now, thanks to well-chosen treatment and the ketogenic diet, the family is seeing great results.
The family’s greatest dream is to see Kyrylo stand on his own feet. And now they have not only faith, but a real chance.
Kyrylo adores music and even tries to sing along. Since his first months of life, he has loved water, and bath time is a real celebration for him. He loves being around people, reaches out to other children and always tries to copy what they do. His eyes are full of the longing of a little boy who wants so much to run, play and live a carefree childhood.
Kyrylo needs support every month.
His most essential needs are:
- diapers, size 5;
- food for the ketogenic diet: olive oil, 33% cream, salmon, mackerel, parmesan, chicken — or specialized nutrition KetoCal 3:1;
- antiepileptic medications Sabril, Topamax, Topiramax and CBD oil.
“Our boy turned out to be very strong. Now we are finally seeing progress, and we have a chance and, most importantly, faith that Kyrylo will stand on his own feet. Our family believes he will overcome this difficult path,” says Kyrylo’s mother, Alina.
Together we can help Kyrylo continue his treatment, grow stronger and bring closer the day when he takes his first steps.
This family needs your help!
Join our project to help children with disabilities, “Happiness in Every Family”!
For more information, please call +38 0 66 7000 177 or e-mail web@kids2kids-fund.com.
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