Date of birth: 26.08.2022
Place of residence: Internally displaced person from Semenivka, Chernihiv region
Diagnosis: Cerebral palsy, mixed form (spastic and ataxic)
Maksym is only three years old, but during this time he has already gone through trials that not every adult could handle. The boy has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy (mixed spastic-ataxic form), but his mind is intact, and he learns something new every day, surprising even doctors with his achievements.
Maxim’s mother, Tetiana Shugai, tells their story with trepidation and pain:
“We come from the border town of Semenivka in the Chernihiv region. Our house is only 8 km from the border with Russia. Semenivka suffers daily attacks from drones, artillery, and guided aerial bombs… It is impossible to live there now, so my husband, son, and I have become internally displaced persons.
My delivery was difficult. Maksym was born in Koryukivka — there is no maternity hospital in our town. He wasn’t breathing at birth, and the doctors fought for his life. I didn’t hear him cry… I only saw the resuscitators trying to save my boy. Then he was transferred without me to the regional hospital in Chernihiv, where he was on a ventilator for eight days and spent almost two weeks in intensive care.
It was only on the third day after giving birth that I was able to touch his hand, and on the ninth day that I was able to hold him for the first time. Those were the happiest moments of my life.”
After two months in hospitals, his mother took the baby home. Maxim grew up under the close supervision of a neurologist and underwent numerous examinations, including at the Okhmatdyt National Children’s Specialized Hospital. After lengthy tests, doctors diagnosed him with hypoxic-ischemic damage to the central nervous system, motor disorders, and cerebral palsy.
Since he was 10 months old, Maksym has been undergoing regular rehabilitation courses at least six times a year. Every day, his mother works with him at home, doing exercises, stimulating speech, and developing fine motor skills.
“We work hard. Thanks to regular rehabilitation, Maksym has learned to sit independently, stand with support, and crawl. He knows animals, colors, shapes, understands spoken language, and pronounces individual words. He also has a bright mind and a very sincere heart. I see how hard he tries, and I believe that one day he will walk on his own two feet.”
Maksym needs constant support from specialists: sessions with a physical therapist, speech therapist, sensory integration specialist, massages, and water treatments. These courses must be taken at least four times a year to maintain results.
The child also takes Omega, Spectrum Needs, Efaleks, and several times a year undergoes medical treatment with Somazin or Neuroxon.
Despite all the difficulties, the family does not give up. But now only the father works in the family, so it is impossible to pay for full rehabilitation on their own.
Let’s help Maxim take the next step together!
Each rehabilitation session gives the boy a chance to strengthen his body, learn new movements, and feel more independent.
Let’s support Maksym — together we can give him a chance for a happy childhood 💛
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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