Goodness Day has become a symbol of the sincerity and compassion of Latvia’s people, and it is a true celebration of goodness. For the sixth year, LNT TV, the Ziedot.lv portal, Swedbank and Rimi are offering a chance for families with sick children to ensure that the kids can hear, see, walk and live.
So far we have helped 225 children. We thank all of the fine and responsive people who helped with their donations so that parents and children could pursue the dream of getting better. In 2012, help from the Goodness Day project is being awaited by children who need our help. We need LVL 27,428 so that Dāvis (11 years old) can live, Niks (15) can walk, Timurs (10) and Deniss (6) can see and hear and Linda (6) can speak. Let’s donate that sum during Goodness Day on May 27!
Dāvis (11)
Dāvis did not breathe when he was born, but medics managed to drain his lungs so that he could survive. The doctors also declared, however, that the baby was suffering from the decerebration syndrome after acute hypoxia, and the long-lasting shortage of oxygen caused brain damage. It was also determined that the infant was suffering from Down’s Syndrome. Despite this terrifying diagnosis, Dāvis fought for his life. He was active and loved live. Dāvis began to walk, run and even produce various sounds. When he was in a good mood, he hummed along with his granny when she hummed various melodies. Over time, Dāvis began to learn sign language, because he could not speak. At the age of six, however, he became severely ill, was taken to hospital, and suffered clinical death the next day while in the arms of his father. The little boy’s heart stopped. For ten long days and nights, Dāvis’ parents prayed for him to survive. Breathing tubes were inserted because medics discovered that the boy’s throat was almost completely closed – probably the consequence of his first incubation. Ten days later, Dāvis began to breathe once again, but doctors viewed his future with much concern. After returning to life, Dāvis did not move. He has been in bed ever since, and he is fed artificially. An operation on the stem cells of the brain could bring Dāvis back to life. In 2010, money collected by the family and donated by good people allowed Dāvis to visit a clinic in Germany, where the first stem cells were entered into his body. Dāvis’ immune system improved, and on a few occasions he has reacted to people speaking to him or touching him. Dāvis very much needs a second operation at the clinic, and that is the only possibility for him to get better. Medics believe that Dāvis will need at least five operations, but his family is just hoping that he will be able to sit up and eat. LVL 8,790 are needed.
Niks (15)
Niks came into this world prematurely, during the eighth month of his mother’s pregnancy. He was born with serious blood diffusion in his head and an oedema which caused nerve damage. The baby spent his first weeks in an incubator and only went home when he was two months old. Doctors already knew that the brain damage had harmed the boy’s ability to move, and at the age of one, Niks was diagnosed with infantile paralysis. He was an active infant, but the road to his first steps was a very difficult one. At first he slithered across the floor on his stomach. He learned to crawl at the age of two, then gradually began to try to stand up, and took his first steps when pulling his cat around in a wagon. Now Niks is 15, and all he wants is to be like other boys. He wants to play football, run, engage in sports, dance and do everything else that teenagers enjoy. Over the course of his 15 years, Niks has survived seven operations on his legs. He has undergone endless rehabilitation, which has involved horseback riding therapy and swimming. Only thanks to the work that has been invested has Nick become a happy and curious teenager, though his ability to move is still limited. Niks attends the 7th grade at the Kursīši Elementary School in the Saldus Administrative District. He enjoys classes in Latvian and Russian, as well as literature. During his free time, the young man reads encyclopaedias about animals, listens to music and plays computer games. He cannot imagine his summer without riding his bike. Niks’ family is placing great hopes in an orthopaedic operation in Munich which could help Niks to walk better. LVL 13,446 are needed.
Timurs (10) and Deniss (6)
Timurs and Deniss are brothers. When Timurs was born, nothing seemed to be wrong, but at the age of 4 months, when the baby did not roll over to his side and did not seek eye contact with adults, medics examined him, but with no results. Timurs did not begin to walk, and it was then determined that he was suffering from the developmental order that is atypical autism. Timurs spent nine years locked up in his own little world, with no interest in what was happening around him or in things and people.
When Deniss was born, once again nothing seemed wrong, but at the age of 15 months his development stopped and began to regress very quickly. It has been determined that Deniss suffers from mental retardation and hyperactivity. Neither brother can talk, and so neither can tell others what he wants, what hurts and how he feels.
Both brothers need treatment and neurological consultations from the Primavera Medica medical centre in Moscow. Donors have helped the boys to receive treatment in the past, and this has improved their health to a considerable degree. Since the treatment, Timurs has become curious about the world around him, his gaze is no longer empty, and he is interested in contacts with others. It is as if he took off his sunglasses and took a whole new look at the world.
Deniss can speak several words, he hears and perceives what others tell him, and he can follow instructions. A speech therapist and a special education teacher who have been working with him say that Deniss is flourishing like a flower. Doctors recommend that the treatment in Moscow be continued, and three sets of treatment at the clinic will cost a total of LVL 3,192.
Linda (6)
Linda was a very much awaited child. She was born precisely on schedule, and nothing during pregnancy suggested that once she was born, the terrible diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome would be given to her. Linda is a nice and active girl, but she cannot talk, she does not know how to run or jump, and she is slower than other children at her age. Linda attends kindergarten and receives consultations from a music therapist, a speech therapist, an ergotherapist, and a physiotherapist. She swims in a pool, loves to look at photo albums, and always wants to play with other children. At this time, Linda points insistently at those things that she wants – that is how she communicates. Doctors have recommended that if she is to develop the skill of speech, she should receive dolphin therapy in Odessa. LVL 2,000 are needed.
The main purpose of this charitable programme is to improve the quality of life in these kids and to help them to live as full a life as possible. The donations are being gathered to pay for treatment and rehabilitation services which are not covered by the government. Public participation and support are very much needed.
You can learn about all of the Goodness Day children who are waiting for your help here.
On Goodness Day on May 27, LNT TV, Ziedot.lv, Rimi and Swedbank will call on everyone to take part in Kindness Day events all day long at the Hall of Congresses in Rīga. The live concert will be broadcast on LNT at 8:20 PM.
You can donate money to help the children to receive the treatment that they need via the Ziedot.lv portal, by ringing 9000-6383 (1 lats), or by depositing money in donation boxes at Swedbank branches, Rimi shops and Supernetto stores all around Latvia.
The project is being implemented by LNT, Swedbank and Ziedot.lv, and the Rimi and Supernetto chains of supermarkets are partners in the project.
The Project is placed online on: 27.04.2012
Project completed 05.06.2012
Ziedot.lv for donations does not charge any commissions or brokerage fees. All the donated money reaches 100% for its intended purpose. Ziedot.lv administrative costs not covered by your donations.
