Who would knock on the door and bring the news that would heal the wound in Elena’s soul? The doctors could not cure her. “The child is paralyzed. Do you understand?” they told him a few days ago. “Your little girl was born prematurely, she was only one kilogram, it’s a miracle that she survived. Now, at three years old, he’s fine, but he won’t be able to walk and probably won’t be able to talk.”
Much had been said, but Elena had not heard. He tried to swallow the emotions, which formed a tail and then gathered a large knot in the region of his throat. To leave. That was the first coherent thought that came out of the news that day. What’s the point of staying in the hospital with the little girl, if the 15 minutes of massage have no effect?
He returned to the village with two suitcases full of clothes and the child in his arms. Her older daughter and retired parents were waiting for her at home. He was 38 years old, with two children and a lot of fears. He had no place to live and no stable job.
A year after the birth of the little girl, Elena’s husband went abroad and… never came back. “If you send the child to a boarding school, we’ll talk,” he told her over the phone. “What else should we talk about?” Elena asked herself. Everything had been clear. Sofia, the long-awaited and beloved child with a charming smile and eyes like two coals, needed her mother’s love and her mother’s faith that a miracle is possible. He could not and did not want to leave his little girl.
Elena worked for a long time in construction, both in the country and abroad, and after the birth of Sofia, she earned a penny, doing repair work in the village households. The monthly allowance did not cover the expenses for the minimum necessary medicines and care products. Over time, the difficulties multiplied and after the death of her mother, Elena no longer had anyone to take care of Sofia. She was kicked out of her parental home by her own relatives… For years Elena cried at the icon of Saint Pantelemon, fueling the flame of hope in her heart.
“Why am I left alone? Does nobody care? Why has the Lord given me such a heavy burden?” asked the desperate woman. The disorientation fueled by her inner states of loneliness and hopelessness brought her even more suffering. Without understanding how and why, he fell into the passion of drinking. There were years of struggle with oneself and one’s own weakness. Some tempted her, saying that they were the true friends who brought her comfort, others criticized and mocked her. No one, however, could hear the cry of Sofia, a weak and helpless child, for whom the mother is the only salvation.
Little Sofia and her mommy
The Moldova Project
The girl was 6 years old when she met the “purple team”, which provides gifts and support to socially vulnerable families in their village. After looking for a long time at the sweets carefully arranged on her bed, she met the gaze of Victoria Morozov, the president of “The Moldova Project” Association, who asked her: “What should we bring you next time? What toys do you like?”.
“I wish I could go,” Sofia replied. Then Victoria saw in the girl’s eyes a burning desire, a strong character and an unbridled love for life. That meeting completely changed the life of Elena and her little girl.
Victoria was absolutely convinced of the effectiveness of the Ulzibat method when she proposed to Elena to accept a first consultation. The doctors described the procedure, which is not at all simple, as it involves surgical interventions in several stages, with general anesthesia. The results, however, can be amazing from the first few weeks of recovery.
Talks about the future
The Moldova Project
To cover all the expenses for interventions and rehabilitation, which amount to tens of thousands of euros, Victoria and other members of the association turned to donors. The treatment continues even now, being financed by the Health Project “The Moldova Project”.
Elena’s fears disappeared once Sofia, looking carefully into the eyes of the doctor who was consulting her for the first time, asked him: “Doctor, when will I be able to walk?”. With great courage, the child followed all the doctor’s instructions. It has been and continues to be a long road to recovery, with painful medical procedures and strenuous exercises. The simplest movements made by any healthy person are for Sofia a challenge and a reason for hard work.
After half a year of therapy, Sofia took her first steps. The walker, received as a gift from the association, helps her a lot and gives her hope. Sofia practices more and more every day.
Sofia practices with the forerunner
The Moldova Project
At the age of seven, Sofia wants to go to school, communicate with her peers, and to see her dream come true, she works hard. With huge efforts, he is making progress to be able to walk and talk.
Feeling the support of The Moldova Project team, a new hope sprouted in Elena’s soul, which grows with each success of her little girl. Today the passion for alcohol is just an ugly memory and the most painful lesson of life. What else does a woman want now? So that her little girl can write, read, communicate with people her age, be happy. And in order to take care of her properly, she really needs a corner of her own, a home where she can be safe.
Sofia and Victoria, president of The Moldova Project
The Moldova Project
Crucial is people’s desire for change, the energy with which they go “into battle” either with vices or with disease, poverty or injustice. Sofia is an angel with the heart of a lion and the armor of a knight. He is a child who always sees his dream and takes firm steps towards it.
Author: Victoria Morozov, president of “The Moldova Project”
During 2022 only, “The Moldova Project” financed over 230 medical interventions needed by children from socially vulnerable families and their parents. Surgery, dental treatment, installation of hearing aids, vision treatment, medical consultations of any profile, laboratory analyses, physical therapy and many other medical needs, regardless of complexity, are provided by the association. Beneficiaries of “The Moldova Project” are assisted at all stages of treatment, guided and supported, both financially and emotionally.
Every child has the right to a dignified life and opportunities for development. We will be back with details about little Sofia’s great achievements.
NOTE: The names of the protagonists have been changed.
