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] “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЖОВТЕНЬ 201 2 WWW. UNWLA.ORG 21 ing. It is worth mentioning that within the last month five children from Ukraine have been p a- tients at Shriners Hospital in Boston. Another patient, Nastya Ovchar, who was initially treated in 2005 at Shriners for severe burns which she sustained while trying to save her younger sibling from a house fire, was back this summer for more surgery. She has been intermittently undergoing required surgery by Shriners physicians both in Ukraine and in Boston. After more surgery and rehabilitation this summer, she and her mother returned home to Ukraine on August 22nd. The cost of the trip was covered by money which was collected after her accident both by the UNWLA and others and is held for her in a bank accou nt overseen by the UNWLA. It was from Dr. Gennadiy Fuzaylov that the UNWLA learned about Ihor, the third and central character of this story. Ihor Lakatosh, the patient, is a young boy from Ukraine, 8 or 9 years old, who has known his share of tragedy. Du ring his short life he was neglected and abused, and about 4 years ago he sustained serious burns. His life story is sketchy because his mother, who had brought him to the hospital upon her neighbors ’ urging, abandoned him. From there he was sent to an orp hanage. Based on his presenting signs, he was placed in an orphanage for children with cerebral palsy. By the grace of God, the orphanage dire c- tor contacted a Ukrainian burn physician, who contacted Dr. Fuzaylov and sent him a photo of the boy. With the h elp of Doctors Collaborating to Help Children , Ihor arrived at Shriners Hospi t- al in Boston on August 10th, 2012. He was un - able to walk or bend his arms and came to Shri n- ers weighing a mere 30 pounds, a severely ma l- nourished and debilitated boy. Much of th is was the result of the severe burns over 30% of his body, which, due to lack of funds and probably due to his status as an orphan, were not treated properly. During the healing process, they formed scar tissue resulting in contractures. Ihor was also tho ught to be mentally impaired but this does not seem to be the case at all. He never attended school, which likely added to his image as menta l- ly challenged. As Lindsey Anderson writes, Ihor has charmed the hospital staff and likes to play with them. He is a loving child who communicates with his caretakers and has let them know that he wants to become a doctor. All this with the help of a translator, a teddy bear, and loving care . With great mentors like Drs. Fuzaylov and Driscoll, anything is possible. A quote from Dr. Fuzaylov, reported by Lisa Hughes , says it so well: “Some kids, when they get neglected become angry. His reaction to neglect is just the opposite. He’s very social, he’s very playful, he’s very cooperative, he likes atte n- tion. He’s a sweetheart. I sometimes could not understand him, but his eyes talk more than his words. ” Ihor Lakatosh Ihor has already undergone several surg e- ries, one of which freed his left arm from his to r- so. The child is thrilled that he can use both of his arms now. Obviously he will undergo many more surgeries, and his stay in the hospital, followed by extensive physical therapy, will be a long one. However, his prognosis is good. The plan is to send Ihor home to Ukraine when he recovers, where he will be under the care of local phys i- cians. It is interesting that several families have already offered to adopt Ihor, but this is som e- thing that will have wait for awhile. Lisa Hughes reported Dr. Dri scoll as sa y- ing: “I think his prognosis is excellent. You go through a dozen years of training or more and you get the opportunity once in a while to really make a tremendous difference in a child’s life. And this is one of those times.” Both these gentle men are filled with love for humanity. It is palpable in their words and their deeds. Besides thanking Shriners Hospital, which provides all this extensive care free of charge, the dedicated staff, and Drs. Fuzaylov and Driscoll, it is important to give credit to the
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