Zlata is a regular patient in our rehabilitation massage therapy program. She has a congenital spinal hernia. Only three-years-old, Zlata has experienced a lot of pain and many operations.
No one wanted to accept her into their rehabilitation program, but Natasha, our massage therapist in Sambir, agreed to treat her. She said she would put the results in God’s hands. Zlata is a wonderful child. She understands everything as a three-year-old should.
Her parents and Natasha have been struggling with these congenital anomalies for two years. Massage therapy, acupuncture, vibroplatform, muscle stimulator, and other treatments are bringing incremental steps. We love seeing her progress. Zlata can raise her upper body with the use of her hands. Also, she has begun to pronounce new words and can answer questions clearly. She can balance in the sitting position on her own, get on all fours, and turn from side to side.
But for Zlata, to get even a small result requires a lot of patience, work, and time. In an active exercise, Zlata is told what to do. She doesn’t really like it when Natasha uses passive exercises with her. This is when Natasha moves Zlata’s body parts. When this happens, she cries. Natasha’s responce is to do everything slowly. This agrees with Zlata. Natasha understands that emotional stress during physical exercises can result negatively in future development.
Zlata adapts to life as best she can. She is Natasha’s favorite patient. Mark and I met Zlata and her parents in Natasha’s clinic earlier this year. Zlata has a beautiful smile. Thank you for supporting our efforts to help her and other children in our massage program. You can read how you helped buy the equipment that she uses, in our 2023 May newsletter
Because of the war, MUCH has three massage therapists. They are: Natasha, in an orphanage in Dobromyl and her private practice in Sambir, Oksana in Mykolaiv, and Dr. Natalia and her team in Chornomorsk. Our goal is to rebuild our massage program to the level it was before the war started.
Children continue to need your help. Your support helps us change lives and bring the light of Jesus Christ where darkness brings pain.
We appreciate your generous and ongoing support. Some of you have been sponsors since the beginning of our mission which is completely amazing and makes us feel how much you appreciate the work we do and the people we help.
Be looking for our Christmas fundraiser, coming up soon!
