Valeria P.

I came to The Domik in 2015 when I was 8. I have ICP (infantile cerebral paralysis). Before I moved to The Domik, I had lived in the department for serious non-ambulatory children.

I was lying in bed almost all the time: I could not even step on my legs, because of ICP. And you really want for someone to hug you, to carry in arms, to kiss your crown. I wanted to walk and play; I wanted to be a beloved, not an abandoned child with severe developmental disabilities.

Almost immediately after moving to The Domik, I was operated on my legs’ muscles and a special exercises program was developed for me.

I did my best and finally I learnt to crawl, sit, and then stand, though with support or backup for now, but I believe that I have a future! I already know how to operate my wheelchair and ride fairly long distances if something interests me. And, of course, I dream of becoming absolutely independent in movement.

Lately, I’ve learned a lot: to get out of bed on my own, to chew solid food and drink from a cup, to brush my teeth, to take shoes off with the help of an adult, to draw with pencils and finger paints. I can even be of some help with the household, for example, I pour soup into a plate together with a tutor and wipe the table after eating.

I love going to the swimming pool and simply playing with water, water is my element. At school I am very active, curious and happy to perceive the world around me.

And recently I’ve learned to share toys! I used to cry and scream when someone asked me to share something I liked. And now I realized that playing together is more fun!

But the biggest and most important thing that happened to me in The Domik is that I’ve found a significant adult, my favorite tutor. She is very sensitive and always tries to understand me, reading my signals. It’s is not that easy, as long as I can’t talk, not very good at using sign language and cards exchange communication system. That’s why not everyone manages to make contact with me. I wish it all were different, but for now I am doing not well, because there was too much of indifference and misunderstanding in my life before. Now I’m relearning to trust adults. Believe me, it is very difficult.