Three-year-old Andrey needs speech rehabilitation course

Three-year-old Andrey Shashkov has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and delayed psychoverbal development. Thanks to intensive sessions, the boy is already taking his first steps, but there remain serious difficulties with speech: he does not understand words addressed to him and cannot speak himself.

In addition to cerebral palsy, Andrey has been diagnosed with mild spastic lower paraparesis, delayed psychoverbal development, dysarthria, and pronounced mental function disorders.

At birth, the child received high Apgar scores, and his mother was happy. However, by four months the parents noticed problems: the baby became lethargic, struggled to turn over, and could hardly hold his arms.

«I felt constant anxiety, couldn»t sleep or eat. There began a string of hospitalizations, consultations, a pile of diagnoses. It seemed we had been everywhere,« shares Andrey»s mother.

At the age of one and a half, final diagnoses were given at the Saint Olga Children«s Hospital in St. Petersburg. Rehabilitation then began: after a course of Vojta therapy, Andrey stood up independently for the first time, and is now already taking his first steps.

Progress in speech development is extremely slow. At three, Andrey pronounces only individual syllables, hardly understands what is said to him, and does not possess the simplest self-care skills.

Specialists are confident that now is the most critical time for intensive work. A rehabilitation center in St. Petersburg created an individual program for Andrey that will help him speak and better control his body. However, this course is not part of the compulsory health insurance system, and its cost is nearly 200,000 rubles (about $2,200 at current rates).

The family cannot pay for the treatment on their own. For help, they turned to the St. Petersburg charity fund «Alyosha», which opened a fundraiser. As of now, 131,562 rubles (about $1,500) are still needed.

«Andryusha is a very kind and open child. He loves playing with children and animals, adores the pool. Unfortunately, our family is in a difficult financial situation. I beg you to help my son!» appeals the boy«s mother.

Every session for Andrey is a step toward saying his first word, understanding a request, and moving more confidently. Without this help, his developmental delay could increase, and the opportunity for early correction will be missed.