Valeria
Karlova

Lera's arrival into the family was awaited for eight long years. When the parents saw the two cherished lines on the pregnancy test, their happiness knew no bounds. But the pregnancy was not easy: in the second trimester, the mother began to suffer from isthmic-cervical insufficiency, which led to premature labor. At the 28th week, Lera was born weighing only 1260 grams.

From the very first days of her life, the little girl struggled for her life. She could not breathe on her own and was on artificial ventilation. Only after 45 days, Lero was discharged home. For the parents, this marked the beginning of a long journey: examinations, consultations with specialists, rehabilitation, and a constant struggle to keep their daughter healthy.

When Lera turned one year old, the family was told that he had cerebral palsy and spastic diplegia. This was a devastating diagnosis, but the parents decided not to give up. They did everything they could to help their daughter develop, learn new skills, and become more independent.

Today, Lera is able to sit, move on her high knees, stand on a support, and is taking several steps more confidently with help. Specialists note her good prospects: after each course of rehabilitation, the girl is mastering something new.

Lera is very curious and sociable. She easily makes friends, loves music, and enjoys singing and dancing. In her intellectual and mental development, she has almost caught up with her peers. She has a younger sister named Nastya, with whom they are very close. Nastya tries to help Lera with everyday tasks: she takes off her shoes, helps her sit on the potty, and is always nearby.

Lera still doesn't fully understand why other children can run and walk, while it's so hard for her to do the same. When asked about it, she simply replies: «I still don't know how to walk.».

At the last visit, the orthopedic surgeon recommended that Lera undergo a myofasciotomy surgery using the SPML method. This is a minimally invasive procedure that allows correcting muscle spasticity without the need for subsequent immobilization and enables a faster return to restoring motor skills. The surgery is necessary to prevent the girl’s condition from worsening further. Without it, Lera risks losing the ability to move and eventually ending up in a wheelchair. According to the mother, there will be no turning back then.

Unfortunately, in Russia such an operation is not performed. After consultation, Dr. Berinus agreed to perform the operation on Lera at the American Hospital Tbilisi.

Behind the family's shoulders are thousands of hours of rehabilitation and many small victories, each of which was achieved with immense effort. The parents dream of seeing their long-awaited daughter one day walk on her own, on her own two feet. But now there is a risk that without the necessary surgery, Lera will lose even the skills she worked so hard to achieve.

Help Lera not lose what she has already achieved and have a chance for a future where she can walk on her own!

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