One of our cutie pies Igor needed surgery, and we made sure our little buddy received good care. But afterwards, we were worried and decided to hire a caregiver to give extra attention to him to help with his rehabilitation.

Artem and Superstar Igor

 You can help Igor! Click HERE! 

Here’s Artem’s report from October 3, 2013

I have been working on Igor’s condition for the past 4 and a half months.  He was brought to the orphanage in poor physical condition, he was thin, the color of his skin was pale-blue, and he was also very emotionally upset and cried for any reason, screamed, and practically could not walk.

Igor in September 2013

At this time there are big changes for the better, among them: Igor has gained weight, the color of his skin is now pale-pink, going from one room to another has become less upsetting, he laughs often, smiles. He is refusing to eat less often and has started to walk with the help of a walker, although his hands still have to be placed in position in order to prevent his causing harm to himself, he started to sit independently (also with his hands placed in position for him) and has become more interested in his environment.

Despite these outcomes, Igor still has weak sides, specifically: he still hits his face with his hands and if he does not like something, he begins to scream and cry.

Igor does have speech, although it is not clear, in general he can pronounce several syllables: “lya-lya”, “nya-nya” or he can stretch certain vowels: “aaaaa”, “oooo”. He frequently sings songs.

When he is with me, Igor is usually calm, he has really taken to me. He often tries to take me by the hand or sit next to me. Often, when he sees me he smiles or laughs.  When he is in the playroom, he crawls over to me. At times, when I leave work, he crawls after me, crying, and when I return he starts smiling and laughing, so I often stay late.  Sometimes he begins to cry when he does not want me to take him out of his crib.

But when he is around adults, whom he had never seen before, he can disregard the others and only want to go to the “new” person.

At work nothing disappoints me as I am always happy to spend time with a child and see positive results of my work, as well as the child’s condition and his laughter instead of tears.

Contributed by Artem  Martirosov

Translated by Kat Dudina, Maya’s Hope volunteer translator.

Photo Credit: Mariya Syemashkina

Igor back in November 2012

Igor in the hands of Artem

Igor in July 2013

Igor in July 2013

Igor in December 2012

Igor back in November 2012

Igor walking with Artem

Read Artem’s first report! 

Artem’s report in Russian!