Polina Pegova, born in 16.07.2020
Diagnosis: Developmental Delay (ZPMR), Autism.
Medical opinion: page 1, page 2
Donation income and expenditure report
Since birth, Polina has developed more slowly than her peers: she sat up only at nine months, took her first steps at sixteen months, but never started speaking. She almost did not sleep, waking up every 15 minutes crying, and doctors could not find the cause.
Later, Polina was diagnosed with a cervical spine anomaly, vertebral fusion, strabismus, developmental delay, and autism. At four and a half years old, the girl still does not speak, barely understands spoken language, gets scared of loud noises, and feels lost among other children. Doctors struggled for a long time to determine the exact reason for her condition.
Despite all these challenges, Polina is open to the world. She loves interacting with people and is always drawn to them. She enjoys helping her mother in the kitchen, watching how meals are prepared, throwing pieces of food into water or a frying pan. She loves water — she could play with it for hours. Polina wants to explore the world, but without properly selected treatment and therapy, her opportunities are limited.
Therapy sessions with specialists did not bring results for a long time, and despite numerous consultations with doctors, the cause of Polina’s condition remained unknown. Therefore, a geneticist suggested one possible option — whole-genome sequencing. This is a special analysis that allows doctors to study a person’s DNA to identify possible genetic abnormalities that may explain her condition. The obtained results would help develop an effective treatment plan.
In March, we launched a fundraiser for Polina’s genetic testing, and by April we were able to transfer the required 59,920 UAH (approximately 1,430 USD) to the clinic. The test results revealed a rare gene mutation that disrupts the development of the cerebral cortex. This mutation affects speech, behavior, coordination, and the ability to learn.
Based on this data, doctors created an individual rehabilitation plan for Polina. It is aimed not only at supporting her physical condition but also at stimulating the formation of new neural connections in the brain. This will help new skills develop and improve her socialization.
We are not stopping and continue to fight for Polina’s future. Our next goal is to raise 25,000 UAH (approximately $595 USD) for a rehabilitation course at a center in Zaporizhzhia.
