I embarked on this fundraising journey for a few reasons. Firstly, this cause matters to me personally because my sister Nadia was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was 1.5 years old. Secondly, I am now a mother of a 2 year old girl and there is nothing more precious and innocent in this world than our children. Lastly, I have traveled the world extensively and have seen all sorts of diversity from the poverty of India to the materialism of Singapore. Vast cultural and extreme differences that have made me appreciate the simple things in life. Now I'm in a fortune position where I can contribute to help others  (specifically children) less fortunate who do not have access to the vital care and attention they so desperately require.

I will be climbing Kilimanjaro this September and fundraising to buy special equipment for the children with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that permanently affects body movements, muscle coordination and balance. It affects the part of brain that controls muscle movements. Severe cases also include hearing, swallowing, speaking and vision. There is no cure for the disease but with early diagnosis and appropriate rehabilitation the improvements are tremendous.

When my sister was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the doctor did not give my family any optimistic outcomes and just said not to expect too much. My parents were not ready to give up and spent the next 10 years+ fighting alongside with my sister for a better future. We ended up trying everything from acupuncture to invasive operations but what really made a difference was rehabilitation in a center for children with cerebral palsy in Budapest. Here my sister was able to make her first steps at 3 years old (greatly against the doctors predictions). This center relied a lot on physical development using simple support equipment that made muscles work better. This was over 20 years ago and there were no alternative centers in Ukraine. Now technology has progressed but unfortunately there is still very little done for children with cerebral palsy conditions in my home country.

Often after a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy the parents are sent home with a "disabled stamp". Even when doctors are really supportive, options for rehabilitation are limited. Unfortunately with the current economic situation those limited options are unavailable for the majority of families due to high costs. This has to change. Cerebral palsy should not be a life sentence. My sister was able to participate in an international exchange program in the US and successfully obtained her Master degree in Organization Psychology in Norway and Holland. She still fights everyday with physical limitations but her future is much brighter than was initially predicted.

My mission is to make rehabilitation accessible to every child in need, 1 step at a time. During this first project I would like to raise funds to buy special equipment for a new rehabilitation center in Kiev "Step by Step" («Крок за кроком»). This center was recently opened by Vitaly Kovalev in March 2016, who has a child with cerebral palsy and through his own personal experience he knows about the lack of appropriate rehabilitation in Ukraine, which motivated him to open "Step by Step" and me to want to help this center.

"Step by Step" provides rehabilitation for children with various degrees of cerebral palsy or other neurological movement disorders through two week treatment courses including physical and psychological rehabilitation. The "Step by Step" team consists of a neurologist, psychologist, specialist of physical rehabilitation, masseuse and a nurse. 12 children can take part in a course and there are two courses per month. There are also 3 sponsored places on each course. So, every year the center can help 288 children including 72 sponsored children. There are plans to grow the center and increase its capacity over time.

The center's mission is "Happy Children With A Bright Future" (діти з повноцінним і щасливим майбутнім). 

The main goal of "Step by Step" is to provide complex rehabilitation aimed at preventing the progression of pathological process', eliminate or significantly improve the condition, restore the health of children with disabilities, adjust the mental development process, teach and educate children the most basic social and personal skills, create prerequisites for social adaptation and integration into society.

"Step by Step" fundamental principles and values are:

• Individual approach to every patient; 
• "Tandem" - a combination of medical and psychological / educational methods; 
• "Child-family-expert" - involvement of parents in the rehabilitation process, teaching parents skills required to continue rehabilitation at home.

At the moment the center does not receive any state or government grants and there is a large number of equipment that it needs to improve rehabilitation for children. Therefore, we hope that we will be able to raise funds at least for the most necessary equipment: 

• Neuro-ortopedic pressure suits
• Rehabilitation chair

You can learn more about "Step by Step"  from their web-site (Ukrainian only) http://cfr-krok.com.ua/ and facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CFRKROK/

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I will be climbing Kili or as locals call it "the roof of Africa" with my friend Francesca from England. We met two years ago while diving ship wrecks in Palawan, Philippines. We share the same passion in life for travel and helping others. Francesca participates in various charity projects and is a regular volunteer for homeless people back home.

We hope you will support this cause and donate. Any amount however small matters. Children with cerebral palsy deserve a chance for a better life.

Today we are trying to find help financially but anyone can contribute just by having compassion for children and adults who are less fortunate than ourselves.
To show that you care you can simply spread awareness, share this page with your family and friends. If you happen to meet someone with cerebral palsy don't judge them but make an effort to make friends with them and spread some love.

Thank you for taking the time to read this today.