Tragic incident, which happened with Maksym Dotsenko 14 years ago, forces him every day to fight for himself and possibility someday to stand on feet. Fracture of cervical part of spine chained man to wheelchair, but did not break his inner spine. Despite that Maksym around the clock is located in apartment, yet has hobby and pleases his relatives.
Together with parents Maksym lives in Sumy, in ordinary ‘panelka’ on third floor. His mother – Mrs. Valentyna – says, even before full-scale invasion, when friends were on place, helped son to drive out on street.
“Now the guys are serving in the military, and we don’t have the strength to take him out for a walk by ourselves. Therefore, Maksym very rarely goes outdoors,” the woman states.
Valentyna talks about her son with pride.
“He is very active—he can’t sit around doing nothing. He constantly wants to be doing something. He’s taken up cooking, so he makes delicious meals,” his mother continues.
“To me likes also baking, – joins Maksym. – Well, and by what else can occupy myself at home? Go out after all cannot. All days monotonous, but to parents to make pleasantly wants. For example, they either from work come, or tired during day, I to them will prepare something good, potatoes will bake… To me this likes.”
Valentyna admits that the family’s life changed dramatically after her son became disabled. Previously, Maksym worked, his parents had jobs too, and they shared a common budget.
“Today, neither I nor Maksym work. His disability pension is 3,700 UAH. And everything is expensive—food, medicine, hygiene products…” the woman notes.
The Rokada team in Sumy supported the Dotsenko family. This became possible within the framework of the LINK consortium.
“More than 270 people with limited mobility in the region received hygiene kits. Each kit consists of diapers, bed pads, wet wipes, and other essential items. In total, 6,183 residents of the Sumy region received various forms of support,” notes Eduard Pidliuzhnyi, adding that the foundation’s team remains by the side of people who need help.
The project is implemented by the LINK consortium (a coalition consisting of ‘Angels of Salvation,’ the Coordination Humanitarian Center, and the Rokada Charitable Foundation) with the financial support of the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.
