After preparing all summer we held the Fund’s largest campaign, “Children Instead of Flowers”. In total we were able to raise more than 43 million rubles! Thanks to the help of those who participated in the campaign, more than 270 families across Russia received aid.
Michel’s family lives in St. Petersburg on the fourth floor of a building without an elevator. It is already difficult for his mother to carry him and the medical equipment he needs downstairs. As such, it is an ordeal to take him out for a walk or to get professional help. However, we found a solution, a stair lift, which can quickly and safely raise and lower “Misha” from and onto a wheelchair, and purchased this unusual device for the first time in the Fund’s history.
“On walks Misha visits various professionals for treatment, a physical therapist, an ergotherapist, and a communication specialist,” his mother Yelena says.
“Once a week he also plays games with three other children. They love to play together, and over the past three years they have grown fond of one another. All of the progress we have seen has occurred thanks to these lessons. He has started to rise from a reclined position, and sit up because he wants to reach something he can play with. He has amazed us and his instructors. He has learned to play, joke, and take food from other people’s plates. This is his favorite activity. It doesn’t matter what’s on the plate, pancakes, bread, or porridge. He needs to touch and taste everything within reach. As such, these lessons are vitally necessary. If we want to continue to visit these specialists, a lift is the only way we will be able to go out.”The lift has already been sent to St. Petersburg and delivered, so Misha’s family won’t have to cancel any lessons.
Every month the Children’s Program purchases medical nutrition and supplies. This routine is no less important than buying specialized equipment like multifunctional wheelchairs and verticalizers. We do all we can, so that children can have the strength to dream. After all, dreams appear when children are no longer in pain but rather are calm and comfortable because they are with their families.
One of our wards, Anya, came from Yaroslavl to Moscow to see a play featuring Alexander Petrov, an actor whom she loves, and whose films she rewatches every week. After the performance she had the chance to meet and speak with him backstage.
Another of our wards, Yana, attended the European Football Championships. Thanks to the “Dream with Me” project and the “Honor” Charity Foundation, Yana saw a game between Switzerland and Spain from the VIP-zone of the Gazprom Arena stadium.
“The feeling is amazing! It was a spectacular game, and my wheelchair is cool! So many people checked it out - Artyom Dzyuba, Mario Fernandes, Christian Noboa, and others”, Yana shared after the game.
Diana from Velikii Novgorod received a wheelchair-stair climber. Now Diana can get over curbs and steps without assistance and go walking with her friends.
During period July-September we've spend 438 217,63$ for our program including:
- special meal 111 108,37$
- financial support 9 818,30$
- medical equipment and its service 152 274,2$
- consumables 92 062,53$
- funeral services 825,08$
- transport services 6 670,17$
- stuff salaries 61 028,64$
- other expenses 4 430,34$
