Sneakers for Vasia
Every physical education class at school for Vasia is watching his peers play football. For several years, the boy has not been able to become part of the team, as cancer prevented him from moving freely.
Vasia is only 13 years old, but his life experience is not childish at all.
The news from the doctors about cancer changed the boy’s whole life: moving from a small but cozy hometown in the Zhytomyr Oblast to the capital’s Cancer Institute, surgery, several therapy cycles.
The tumor destroyed the bone so much that there was a threat of the leg amputation. However, in addition to the radical method, there was another – an endoprosthesis. Installing an innovative implant worth 1,500,000 UAH is not an easy task, but it is a choice that means a different, better life.
Thus, the struggle for Vasia began. Fundraising for the endoprosthesis, which lasted more than a year, was full of donations with signatures: “For Vasia’s leg.” As a part of the Giving Tuesday initiative, the participants organized charity fairs and events and sent video reports with warm words of support and hope.
Eventually, this cherished future has become a reality: in early 2020, Vasia had a surgery and a prosthesis had been installed. The whole Ukraine raised 1,500,000 UAH for Vasia’s treatment, which had been a hefty amount for the guy’s family a few months ago. What seemed impossible at first and caused the mother’s despair came true. All thanks to the faith of many people that can work miracles.
Vasia dreamed of having surgery faster also because of the uncomfortable orthopedic shoes. Shoes that are striking in their size, the guy wore daily for a significant leg length difference. However, they did not always help him: when he took off his shoes, his legs ached unbearably and were covered with wounds. While Vasia was waiting for the prosthesis, he also dreamed of a single pair of sneakers that would not be remind of the disease.
Dreams will always be heard when they are pronounced. Thus, thanks to Anna Glushchenko, who responded to the guy’s dream, Vasia has recently received a long-awaited pair of brand new Nike.
There is a new school year in a week, full of unpredictability for all students, and for Vasia, too. If the school is not moved to distance learning, physical education classes will reappear in the schedule. Vasia will still be in rehabilitation, and it will not be possible for him to run to the sports ground with the boys right away. However, watching the game, Vasia will remember that at home there are his sneakers, in which he will soon score the first goal for the victory over the disease.
