My name is Elizabeth, and for the past two years, my family has been caught in the crossfire of war and the fight to save our daughter, Zlata. We are a Ukrainian family, displaced by the horrors of conflict and grappling with the devastating health complications that have afflicted our precious daughter.

Zlata was born prematurely at just 30 weeks, under the shadow of war. Even before she was born, we knew her life would be a battle. Early in my pregnancy, we were devastated to learn that one of our twins, Zoriana, had stopped growing. The doctors offered little hope, suggesting that we should prepare for the worst. But we refused to give up. We consulted specialists in Germany and Spain, hoping for a miracle. It was a tense, fearful time, compounded by the outbreak of war on February 24, 2022. Our family fled Kyiv, leaving behind everything we knew to protect our unborn children.

Zlata and her twin sister, Zoriana, were born on April 14th, 2022. They were tiny but alive. Zoriana weighed just 1180 grams, and Zlata 1770 grams. The first few weeks were harrowing, with both girls in resuscitation and later in incubators. During this time, Zlata suffered a stroke, leaving her with significant brain damage and a diagnosis of cerebral palsy.

Since then, our lives have revolved around trying to give Zlata the best chance at life. We’ve endured endless rounds of rehabilitation, medical tests, and therapy sessions. Despite our best efforts, Zlata’s condition has worsened. In June 2023, the NHS assessed Zlata at GMFCS (Gross Motor Function Classification System) level 4—just one level shy of the most severe classification. It was a devastating blow.

Zlata is a bright, determined child with a big smile and an incredible spirit, but she cannot walk, crawl, or feed herself. The NHS has provided basic care, but it’s not enough. Zlata needs specialized rehabilitation that the NHS simply cannot offer. We’ve had to wait months for essential equipment, and her condition has deteriorated as a result.

Desperate to find help, I reached out to CPotential in London, a centre highly recommended by other parents of children with cerebral palsy. After visiting their facility in June, I knew this was the place where Zlata could receive the care she desperately needs. The estimated cost for Zlata’s rehabilitation over the next year is £20,000.

We are asking for your help to give Zlata a fighting chance. Just4Children need to raise £20,000 to cover the cost of her rehabilitation at CPotential London. This is our last hope to secure the care that could enable Zlata to walk for the first time.

Your donation, no matter how small, will make a world of difference. Every penny will go directly towards Zlata’s rehabilitation, giving her the opportunity to achieve milestones that many of us take for granted, like walking, playing, and feeding herself.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for taking the time to read Zlata’s story. Your support could be the turning point in her life, helping her to overcome the challenges she faces every day.

Please donate and share Zlata’s story with others. Together, we can give her the chance to walk for the first time and live the life she deserves.

Follow Zlata's website here

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