At the beginning of 2012 I found out that Nikita had some heart problems. Later in spring 2013 the boy was examined in the Zaporizhzhia Children’s Regional Hospital. I was told that Nikita’s heart defect was not operable anymore and what’s more the boy had lungs problems and he might even not breathe independently after the surgery.

Last autumn Nikita was adopted into a loving family. The family already had four children of their own. They made their mind to bring their new son a piece of happiness despite his probable short life. A cardiologist in Zaporizhzhia recommended the child’s parents to take an oxygen mask during his flight. This recommendation was not written, though. The prices for oxygen masks turned out to be skyrocketing, so a pediatrician from the USA suggested taking a risk and eighteen hours later Nikita arrived to the USA safe and sound.

Nikita was soon examined and was prepared for the surgery. This inoperable child went through the successful operation. He should not have survived this cardiac surgery due to his pulmonary hypertension, though. According to American physicians Nikita seems to have never had pulmonary hypertension before.

What do you think it can be? Is it strong faith of Nikita’s parents in God or such strong lack of faith of Ukrainian physicians in special children? I dare to assume it’s called indifference. Indifference to these “special” children. However, these children stay alive and develop. Against all odds.