Ukraine Children's Aid Fund - Critical Knee Surgery & Rehabilitation for Kyrylo

October 15, 2024

Critical Knee Surgery & Rehabilitation for Kyrylo

Kyrylo’s Story: A Life Given Hope by UCAF Donors

Kyrylo is an 11-year-old boy from Kherson, Ukraine who was in critical need of either a hip replacement, knee surgery, or spinal cord surgery that might enable him to walk.

Serhii Kukushkin provides some background to this story. In May of 2022, a doctor friend of mine who works at Children’s Hospital in Kherson called me and asked about a boy (Kyrylo) who is being treated in the hospital. The doctor was concerned that Kyrylo had very little hope because the hospital could not provide the level of treatment that Kyrylo really needed. All they could do was physical therapy and massage therapy. But his physical challenges were far greater – he was not even able to stand on his feet. The physical therapist asked me if UCAF could purchase an iPad for him because all he could do was lay in his bed all day while staying with his grandmother, Tatiana. I then took the initiative to reach out to Tatiana to see how UCAF might be able to assist in this seemingly hopeless situation.

Tatiana picks up the story from here. “This journey began in Children’s Hospital in Kherson, where my grandson, unable to walk, was undergoing rehabilitation. When one of the pediatricians asked if she could share my contact with someone who might help, I was eager for any possibility. My grandson’s parents were long gone, and I was his sole caretaker, searching for answers to give him a better life.”

A woman in Germany who had previously provided rehabilitation for Kyrylo had friends who lived in Salt Lake City, U.S. and they had agreed to help facilitate whatever was necessary to help Kyrylo receive necessary medical help. However, neither Kyrylo nor Tatiana (his grandmother) had the proper documents to travel to the U.S. So, Serhii helped secure their legal USCIS (United States Immigration Service) status and explained to their American host family how the Uniting for Ukraine program works. UCAF funded their entire trip from Kherson to Odessa, to Krakow, Poland, to Frankfurt, Germany and then on to Salt Lake City, Utah.

“Serhii contacted me to explore the possibility of arranging surgery for Kyrylo in the United States. I was shocked to learn of this possibility. So, we began the process, gathering documents and waiting for passports, even amidst the war’s uncertainties. My own health was a concern, and only after my doctor approved my travel did we make preparations. Three months after our initial conversation, UCAF arranged all of our travel tickets, and we were ready to embark on this journey to the U.S. Viktoriia (our Ukrainian escort who spoke fluent English) traveled with us, guiding us through each step—from trains and flights to conversations with doctors and cultural nuances. Her support was invaluable.”

“Upon arrival in Salt Lake City, we were embraced by our kind and generous host family with five children of their own who welcomed us into their lives, organizing rides to appointments, and sharing great warmth and friendship. After my grandson’s knee surgery and rehabilitation, we prepared to return to Ukraine. UCAF once again assumed responsibility for every expense our our trip back to Kherson, and Viktoriia accompanied us home. We spent nine unforgettable months in the U.S., filled with hope, friendship, and healing.”

On November 22, 2022, Kyrylo had knee surgery which was really difficult. On January 2, 2023, they went back to the doctor hoping they’d have more treatment and rehabilitation that would enable him to walk again. So the doctor in Salt Lake City will decide what they will do and what this whole rehabilitation will look like. In August of 2023, they traveled back to Kherson, Ukraine with Viktoriia. Sadly, as of December 2023, Kyrylo is still unable to walk on his own, but was given a very special walker that greatly enhances his ability to get around. Currently, Kyrylo and Tatiana are living with a family along with several children which helps him a great deal, especially given that he still spends most of his day lying in bed, taking his medications, and slowly healing.

“Throughout this journey, our hearts overflow with gratitude—to UCAF, to each doctor, and to everyone who helped us along the way. We know there is God – only He was able to orchestrate all this. We are so thankful, many times thankful to all these doctors, all these hosts, all these new friends, all these people who helped us!”

If you would like to support Kyrylo’s ongoing care and ensure that he receives the follow-up treatment he needs on his way toward recovery, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via the DONATE NOW button.