Podzhihun Daryna

Semyrychna Dashenka was born with two serious diagnoses: psycholinguistic developmental delay (PDD) and a congenital heart defect (a secondary defect of the interatrial septum). At the age of 7, the girl looks like a 3‑4‑year‑old. All these years she has been monitored and treated in various clinics and rehabilitation centers.

We received treatment in Dnipro at the clinic of Uliana Lushchyk, under the care of Professor Bulakhova, completed a full commission at Frunze 103, and were granted a Group I disability. We endured endless courses of massages, micro‑polarization, acupuncture, etc. By the age of three, the family managed to get the child on her feet (a huge achievement). We went through almost all the medication regimens prescribed by the doctors. The family never stood still and did everything within their power for Dasha. Now the situation has changed dramatically, and on the father’s single salary the family cannot continue the child’s treatment, let alone afford the expensive implant (occluder) that Dasha needs.

Doctors promise that if the heart defect is closed, Dashenka has a chance to overcome developmental delays, she will be able to handle stronger loads, and the child will gradually start catching up with other kids and, finally, say her first word. Dashenka is a very communicative and affectionate child. She loves children, adores music and dance, tries drawing, swims, is the first helper around the house, understands every language spoken to her, but cannot respond verbally. The family dreamed of this operation and hoped it would aid her further treatment. Her mother submitted all the necessary documents to our foundation, and we posted Dashenka’s story on our website. Together with her parents, we began looking for ways to help the girl.

Dasha’s older sister began reaching out to all caring people on social media, telling them about the plight. To their great joy, people couldn’t ignore the story of this wonderful girl. In a short time, the necessary amount for the implant was raised. With the collected funds, our foundation purchased the implant for Dasha, and on 28.04.2015 at the Scientific and Practical Center of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, the girl successfully underwent surgery to close her congenital heart defect.

We are thrilled for Dasha and hope this is her first victory, and that this operation will aid her in her continued treatment. This story shows that our united hearts can work miracles!