Treatment that brings joy

One of the many charitable projects run by the Ukraine 3000 Foundation is a yearly competition called “Free Movement: a Joy of Childhood,” which has been underway since 2006. Its main objective is to help children with infantile cerebral paralysis (ICP) overcome this disease or at least ease their condition. This project offers children with this disorder the benefits of modern rehabilitation and early diagnostic technologies. The competition involves treatment centers that specialize in helping children with infantile cerebral paralysis, and the winners receive grants to improve their treatment facilities.

Last year the competition was won by the Chaika Children’s Sanatorium in Yevpatoria (Crimea). Thanks to the Ukraine 3000 Foundation, the sanatorium now has a sensor room and a gym for preschool children with ICP. “Before January 2007, such children had access to a partial course of treatment at our rehab center. After we won the competition we were able to upgrade it,” said the sanatorium director Oleksandr Kysylenko.

Therapy in the sensor room is one of the most important rehab procedures. There children can relax and feel completely secure while they are being prepared for further intensive therapy. Physicians note that after sessions in the sensor room the children’s emotional state improves in 97 percent of cases; 50 percent of children have lower levels of anxiety, and 55 percent show an increase in self-esteem. Sessions in the gym help restore and develop the locomotor system. Last year the center provided a full course of rehabilitation to more than 800 children with ICP. All the children saw an improvement of their health.

At the end of this month the Ukraine 3000 Foundation will announce the winners of this year’s competition.