My name is Victoria, I am 26 years old.  I want to thank all the people who, without having met me personally, are willing to donate money for my treatment.  This year I graduated from the Berdyansk State Pedagogical University, received my diploma, and began a new job.

My life is such that I have to be dependent on drugs, doctors and others. My parents refused me, having been convinced that I would be a drain on them and their resources, unable to live a “normal life.”  Perhaps they thought I would be better off living in an orphanage and then in a boarding school from 5 - 19.  But, in spite of all my challenges, I have a rich, full life.  My only obstacle now is an unbearable pain in my right shoulder joint.  At 20, after years of pain in my shoulder, I was diagnosed with dysplastic omarthrosis (shoulder arthrosis).  After the diagnoses, I had an unsuccessful surgery at the Kiev Scientific Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics.  In November 2013, I had another operation in Munich, Germany which gave temporary relief but the pain returned within a few months.  The doctors in the Ukraine can do nothing other than injections to numb the pain which does not really work while the deterioration continues.

Now I'm in talks with the German clinic Atos and "the Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics (RISC RTO).  The Russian Clinic has suggested artificial joint replacement. In order to make sure that this is possible in my case, it is necessary to conduct a series of scans (CT and MRI of the shoulder joint). After they receive these scans, they will tell me whether a joint replacement is possible or not. If not, I'm afraid to think what will happen to me in a few years.

За мое плечо готовы взяться немецкие специалисты. Клиника Atos, которая находится в Мюнхене. Но денег на операцию у меня нет, и я вынуждена просить у людей.

I have a dorm room, which was given me or my sporting achievements.  The room has no furniture or creature comforts necessary for living, but I am not able to live there anyway due to my deteriorating health.  After finishing basic housework, I always need someone’s help with other tasks such as cooking, doing the laundry, getting dressed, etc.).  Therefore, I have lived with a friend’s family for the past three years.

But I’m not giving up.  I intend to continue competing in sports for as long as I can.  I am already a four time champion in Para-Taekwondo.  The first gold was in November 22, 2012 in Santa Cruz, Aruba. The next was at the World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, June 8, 2013. The third gold medal I won was in Moscow, Russia on June 22nd, 2014, Russia. The fourth gold and silver medal I won in Turkey.  I am also a three-time bronze medalist in the European championships. I am a member of the Ukrainian team currently preparing for the upcoming European Championship, which will be held in Warsaw, Poland this September.  I also need support from kind people, because the state money is never there. Unfortunately, I am also aware of the fact that if I do not receive successful treatment on my shoulder, sports could become a lost dream.

Every day, I do my best to live well, to fight, to not give up, and to do my best at the world championships. But, unfortunately, I can’t pay for the treatments, surgery, and preparation alone. Therefore, I appeal again to all the people who might be able to help me. I am aware and grateful to all the people who have helped me already and will help now as I attempt to continue winning championships and defending the honor of our country.