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Nine Ukrainian Children with Disabilities Leave to the US for Prosthesis Due to Ukraine 3000 Fund

October 1, 2007, nine Ukrainian children with disabilities left to the US for prosthesis. Before their departure, a farewell ceremony took place at the Official Delegations’ Hall of the Boryspil International Airport.

Among its participants were Head of the Supervisory Board of the Ukraine 3000 International Charitable Fund Kateryna Yushchenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to Ukraine William Taylor, Advisor to the Head of the Fund’s Supervisory Board Andriy Myroshnichenko, Head of the Fund’s Board of Directors Oleksandr Maksymchuk, Director of the Medical Programs Department Vira Pavliuk, children’s parents, and representatives of the US Embassy and Ukraine 3000 Fund.

The trip was organized by the Ukraine 3000 International Charitable Fund and supported by Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Ballart (the US) and the US Cuban community.

There are children in Ukraine who have by some or other reason lost their extremities. The question of how to get prosthetics for them is entrusted to the local authorities who are trying to do what they can for these children. Often the issue of prosthetics quality arises. Anyway, the main burden in this issue falls upon the parents.

The Ukraine 3000 International Charitable Fund decided to help children from deprived and needy families to obtain high-quality prosthetics. To this end, the Fund sends two groups of children to Orlando, Florida, to obtain prosthetics at the Hanger Orthopedic Group.

The first group includes disabled children from Dnipropetrovsk, Chernivtsi, Chernihiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Odesa, Kirovohrad, and Khmelnytsky oblasts, requiring upper extremities prosthesis. Among them is Natalia Nikolenko, who was awarded with the Pride of the Country prize in the Strength of Spirit nomination this March. The children are supervised by 5 grownups – doctors, pedagogues, and parents. The trip coordinator is expert with the Ukraine 3000 Fund Medical Programs Department Taras Tkachuk.

Addressing the audience, Mrs. Yushchenko said that the preparations for the trip had taken two years, after the US Cuban community turned to the Ukraine 3000 Fund, proposing help. “I’m happy that the prosthetics for our children will be made by one of the world’s best firms<’ Mrs. Kateryna said. “This will give the children a chance for normal life, and the doctors – for exchanging experience with American colleagues and studying new technologies.” Mrs. Yushchenko added that another group of children requiring prosthetics for lower extremities would leave to the US soon.

Addressing Miss Nikolenko, Mrs. Kateryna said that Natalia has given hope and set an example for many Ukrainian children. “I’m sure that Natalka will be able to do much for Ukraine’s children, when she comes back with her new prosthetics,’ Mrs. Kateryna said, adding that she would be eagerly waiting for the children to come back and would see them back in two weeks, healthy and with their prosthetics on.

Mrs. Kateryna wished the children luck in their prosthesis and their trip back home and presented each one with an icon.

In his speech, Ambassador Taylor said how important was this trip in terms of setting an example of successful cooperation between the Americans and Ukrainians. He said that Ukrainian children would have a good time in Florida, see interesting places, and visit with American families. “You will have a chance not only to live with them and see their life, but also tell them about Ukraine, its history and its future,” Mr. Taylor said. “Thank you for being Ukraine’s ambassadors in America.” Mr. Taylor also thanked the Ukraine 3000 International Charitable Fund for organizing the trip.

In her turn, Natalia Nikolenko said she was grateful to Mrs. Yushchenko and Ukraine 3000 Fund for what they have done for her and all Ukrainian children. “My dream has almost come true thanks to you. I’ll come home healthier than I was,” she said.

The children will stay in the US from October 1 to 15, 2007. During these two weeks the Hanger Orthopedic Group professionals and representatives of a partner firm having a branch in Ukraine will design modern prosthetics for the children. October 3, necessary measures will be taken in Orlando, after which the children will leave to Miami to stay in the Cuban community families. Ocotber 10 they will come back to Orlando for prosthesis and necessary physiotherapy.

The prosthetics will be made free of charge, at the expense of the Hanger Orthopedic Group and its partner.

The Ukraine 3000 Fund also plans to establish cooperation between the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Children’s Clinical Hospital, member of its Hospital to Hospital program, and the Miami University Clinics.