My name is Luiza. Together with my 3 boys, Illia (1yr and 4mos), Hlib (9), and Vladyslav (11) I left Ukraine after the war started. We came to Canada in December 2022.

Little Illia was born on November 19, 2021, on the 29th week of pregnancy weighing just 920g. He could not breathe on his own and was on artificial ventilation for almost two months. He had pneumonia until July 2022, underwent 4 blood transfusions, and was diagnosed with retinopathy (disease of the retina). He completely lost his sight in August 2022. Due to his dependence on oxygen for 11 months, he was forbidden any physical activity.

Now, 15 months old, Illia weighs only 7 kg. He has not gained weight in 6 months, and does not roll over, hold his head up, crawl, or sit. He has not met any developmental milestones so crucial at this stage of life.

We are currently undergoing treatment at SickKids hospital in Toronto. Our diagnosis: epilepsy, cerebral palsy, complete developmental delay, blindness, atrophy of many parts of the brain.

On March 1, 2023, my son underwent an operation to alleviate his laryngomalacia (soft tissues of the larynx that fall over the airway opening and partially block it). This operation should help him start breathing normally and grow.

We have been referred for specialized rehabilitation, but the wait will be months, maybe years. We lost so much time that as soon as we were allowed, I began to take him privately to paid rehab. We must use taxi services, on average 3 times a week, since any infection can be critical for Illia’s life.

I have applied for any social programs available, but unfortunately since we do not have PR or refugee status most programs (such as transportation subsidies or child support) are unavailable to us and as much as I try I simply do not have the ability to work enough at the moment to cover his rehabilitation since I have to be with him 24/7.

He is a very strong boy with a great will to live. He has two beautiful brothers who love and care for him very much. I beg you to help and support Illia in his rehabilitation and treatment. Help him walk this path to a healthy and active life.

Friends, please help. I was left alone with three children, the baby is very sick. He has no future in another country. I greatly appreciate every little help he gets.

Thank you very much.

The collected funds are calculated for a year and will be spent on:

Transportation to the hospital : $960 per month - $11520year.

Medicines: $100 per month - $1200 year.

Massages: $100 per week - $400 per month - $4800year.

Examination and treatment by an optometrist + glasses and their replacement - 1 appointment 300 CA - 1800 per year + cost of glasses.

Purchasing the equipment necessary for the baby for rehabilitation, an oxygen machine, probes for cleaning the upper respiratory tract, special food, diapers - in 6 months this amounted to more than 7,000....

And most importantly, rental housing: 2200 per month, 26 400 per year.

I add all checks and examinations to the history.

I am very actively looking for work, but so far it is very difficult.

But kindergartens for such children do not accept it yet.

The older children also want to live here and stay forever.

I am sure we will definitely help in the future everyone who is helping us now.

Thank you very much