The story of Dimitris and his struggle for a better quality of life.

Dimitris was born and raised in the town of Irakleia in Serres, where he lived happily with his family. In 2018, at the age of 7, and while being completely healthy, he contacted a type B influenza. He was then hospitalized in the PICU of a hospital in Thessaloniki, where he remained comatose for three months. Our dear friend was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia that was caused by encephalitis. He was exhibiting severe brain dysfunction and complete paralysis of his lower extremities. After the 7-year-old boy had been subjected to all the necessary treatments, he was discharged in order to undergo physiotherapy and speech therapy sessions that would improve his condition. His family has never left his side, always struggling in order to provide him with everything he needs. Dimitris was unable to speak, therefore he couldn’t communicate his needs, nor move. He was also unable to receive nutrition orally. The attending doctors recommended that he were immediately subjected to the required treatment program. However, his parents were unable to afford the cost of the treatments, since they were taking caring of him around the clock and were unable to work. The family was in a dead end, therefore the father reached out to us in order to receive our help throughout this ordeal. We immediately paid a visit to the family and we met in person this brave little boy. After evaluating the situation, it became clear to us that the parents couldn’t possibly afford the cost of the intensive home-based treatment program that was required for his condition. That being said, we immediately organized a campaign in order to raise the amount that would allow our little friend to get his life back. At the same time, we provided psychological and moral support to the family so that they could focus on their son’s needs. The amount that was raised during the campaign was not sufficient for the overall cost of his treatments; therefore the Organization settled the remaining amount on its own resources. After conducting a further inquiry, we found the most qualified physicians, who immediately started to treat the little boy. At the same time, we settled the family's debts, so that they could focus on their child’s recovery. Furthermore, we strongly recommended that the family would move to a different house that would meet the required standards for a child with a disability, so that Dimitris could receive the best possible care in a healthy environment. In collaboration with his parents, we located a house that was suitable for them and we paid in advance 12 months' worth of rent. After 8 months of intensive physiotherapy and speech therapy sessions, and to everyone’s surprise, our dear friend’s condition showed great improvement. This little fighter’s will to live, combined with the right therapeutic methods, contributed to a great improvement of his physical and mental health. We selflessly keep on providing our services to our large family’s newest member, hoping that our small contribution will make a great difference in Dimitris’ life, who, until this day, still follows his treatment plan!