When Darkness Brings Fear, Your Generosity Brings Hope
Every day in Ukraine, families caring for children with severe disabilities face challenges that most of us can hardly imagine. The ongoing war has made those challenges even greater.
For 23-year-old Anya, who has lived with cerebral palsy since birth, even a power outage can become a medical crisis.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Natalia has provided therapeutic massage to help relieve Anya’s muscle pain and stiffness. Her mother, Ira, has lovingly cared for her daughter every day—almost entirely on her own.
Since the war began, life has become much more difficult.
- Long power outages leave them without light or heat.
- The elevator in their apartment building stops working, making it nearly impossible for Ira to take Anya outside.
- Winter brings freezing temperatures.
- They often spend hours by candlelight without electricity or internet.
For Anya, the darkness is terrifying.
When the lights go out, she becomes frightened and anxious. Her blood pressure rises, and the muscle spasticity caused by her cerebral palsy becomes much worse.
Ira works a few hours each day, she must leave Anya alone. Every day is filled with worry.
She spent months saving enough money to purchase an anti-bedsore mattress for her daughter. A portable power station—something that could keep lights on and small appliances running—was simply beyond her reach. Even diapers consume nearly 10% of the family’s monthly income and government assistance.
Because of your generosity, Mission Ukraine Children’s Hope was able to provide this family with a portable power station.
Your gift means:
- Light during blackouts
- Power for essential medical and household needs
- Less fear and anxiety for Anya
- Peace of mind for her devoted mother
Twenty-one-year-old Vitalik faces many of the same struggles. Living with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, he has also received massage therapy from Dr. Natalia for the past 20 years.
Like Anya, darkness triggers intense fear for Vitalik. During power outages, he is more likely to experience seizures, his blood pressure rises, and his family watches helplessly as he suffers.
This month, thanks to friends like you, Mission Ukraine Children’s Hope also provided Vitalik’s family with a portable power station.
What may seem like a simple piece of equipment becomes something much greater:
- A source of safety
- A source of comfort
- A source of hope
Your kindness is changing lives.
When the electricity fails, your compassion keeps hope alive for families who need it most.
Thank you for standing with these courageous families! Thank you for bringing light into the darkness!
