"I would willingly gouge out my own eyes to spare myself from witnessing my children's suffering. But to subject them to agonizing diseases— that, I cannot bear."
REPOST RIGHT AWAY, MY GOOD MAN! HELP YOUR FRIENDS TO GET CLOSER TO THE WORK OF MERCY!
If we don't help, Tsitsi will slowly die, and her little brother Nikoloz will never see light!
Nor will he see the poverty that surrounds him. Nor will he see his beloved father's terrible heart attacks that make him fall to the ground and suffocate. He won't see the horrible scar on his sister's face that was left after surgery. Two years ago, she had a huge tumor removed from her brain.
Oh, my God! How do these poor people cope with so much misery? How do they manage not to become embittered and remain human? As you read this post, imagine yourself in Lia's shoes for a moment. How long do you think you could hold on and not go insane?
Lia: I don't even know where to begin. I have four children, two of whom are seriously ill. My husband is sick, too. Almost every month he goes to the intensive care unit with a heart attack. My youngest daughter, Tsitsino, was diagnosed with a brain tumor two years ago. She had surgery. During the removal of the tumor her eye nerve was damaged, and now she is completely blind in one eye. And Nikoloz has been blind since birth...
Tsitsino (12-year-old): For as long as I can remember, I've had a constant headache – so severe that it made me feel nauseous. They even wanted to kick me out of kindergarten because of it, thinking I had something contagious.
- What did the doctors say, Lia?
Lia: I can't forgive myself for believing every word they said. My child was suffering from these terrible headaches, and they told us it was just a phase that would pass. They wouldn't even give us a referral for a CT scan. So, my daughter suffered for years, while the doctors kept saying it's normal. And all the while, a tumor was growing and growing in her head. When Tsitsi told me two years ago that her vision was getting worse, I became alarmed. You know, when there's no money for anything, when one son is seriously ill, when your husband is constantly in intensive care, you can't get all the checkups.
- And how did you find out the real cause?
Lia: The neurologist, when she examined my daughter, said that we urgently needed to get a tomography done. That all the symptoms pointed to a tumor. It was a shock! We came to Tbilisi, got an MRI, and... My God! A massive tumor was pressing on all the vital nerves. You could say we made it in time. The doctor who performed the surgery mentioned that Tsitsi might lose her sight after the operation, but we agreed because there was no other option.
Tsitsino: Look at the scar I have! It covers half of my face. But the doctor told me that I'm very beautiful, and he would try to make it so that the scar wouldn't be visible. He's so kind!
Lia: Who cares about the scar! The main thing is that my daughter is alive! She lost vision in only one eye, but her sight has deteriorated in the other over time.
- Have the pains stopped?
Tsitsi: No, they're still as intense as ever. And I was so hoping the pain would go away. You know what it feels like? Like a pair of hot scissors cutting something inside. Sometimes the pain knocks me out, and I can sleep the whole day, but it doesn't make the pain go away. I can't even go to school. I scare everyone there. And I can't handle it myself.
Lia: I can't look at her without tears. Right now, she can talk, but during an episode, she just sits there with her eyes dim, barely breathing, tears streaming from her eyes. Children need to be examined urgently!
- Oh my God! You've been through so much. Tell us about Nikoloz.
Lia: He's 7 years old, and for 7 years, our family has been enduring. He was born blind. We thought we could help him, but all our attempts turned out to be unsuccessful. But he's a strong boy, and everything will be fine for him.
Nikoloz (7-year-old): You know, I go to school. Everyone there is like me, blind. They teach us so well! They even teach us to walk correctly. I won't bump into walls as much now. I like going to school. And we have a beautiful teacher there, Tako.
- How can you tell who's beautiful and who's not?
Nikoloz: I just know. I think Tsitsi is more beautiful than all the beautiful girls. I 'see' her with my hands, and she has a beautiful voice. And Mom is beautiful. And my Tako, the teacher. She tells me that I'm a good boy!
- What do you like the most at school?
Nikoloz: We have a piano there! I like singing and making music. Our teacher says that blind people have a good sense of hearing. Maybe when I grow up, I'll sing.
- What do you do at home?
Nikoloz: My sisters and brother don't let me get bored. They play with me. But you know what I dream about? About a Barbie house. A big Barbie house where you and I can fit together.
- Are you inviting me to the Barbie house?
Nikoloz: Yes! I think you're beautiful too, and if I could see you, I'd fall in love with you!
Lia: Oh, he's such a chatterbox! You won't get bored with him. He loves to talk. Sometimes, he comes up with the wildest stories! He needs so much, but we can't do anything for him. My husband does not work, and I can't either. Before Nikoloz was born, my husband was as strong as a bull. He worked, supported the family, and was a model family man, but his heart couldn't bear to see our son suffer, and illness overcame him. Diabetes, heart attacks, strokes... he's had it all! Now he can barely move. Physical activity is out of the question. And Tsitsi's illness has really taken a toll on us.
- How do you manage to survive?
Lia: Survive... that's a good word you used. Our only income is allowance and our son's pension. We survive on just bread. I buy about 10 loaves a day. If we have tea and sugar, that's considered good. But Nikoloz can't chew; he needs liquid food. I cook him soups from buckwheat and noodles. My husband needs medications. If he doesn't take at least one (and they're all very expensive), he has recurrent attacks and ends up in an intensive care unit for several days. In the past few months, all our money has gone for medications, and I've accumulated debts in the stores. Those need to be paid off too, right? Because who will give you groceries without money?
- I can't even find words to comfort or console you... Have you ever been happy?
Lia: No... or maybe I was, I don't remember. I've been married for twenty years, and I could probably count the good days on my fingers. After Nikoloz was born, I don't remember a single good day. It just gets worse with each passing year. Right now, we're just perishing. We have no money for food, medications, or even bread! That's why we addressed you. Perhaps you can reach the hearts of kind people, maybe you can shout to the heartless officials... I've lost all hope, I have no strength left!
- Lia, what do you need the most right now to survive?
Lia: I desperately need to get Tsitsi and Nikoloz to see doctors. They need medical examinations and treatments. We need groceries and medications for my husband. That's my ultimate dream.
Tsitsi: And my ultimate dream is a tablet! Mama says I shouldn't even dare to dream about it, but when I feel very bad, I always try to think about something good. Like how I dance, or how I draw, or about having a tablet!
Nikoloz: And I dream about a Barbie house, I don't need a tablet. And I also dream about having a piano, yogurts, milk, and cutlets. About dumplings and cake. About chocolate and ice cream. But Mama only feeds me macaroni.
- Lia, maybe you could tell us about yourself too. How's your health? As far as I see, you take care of everyone.
Lia: My health? I endure. I have anemia, and sometimes I lose consciousness. But I can't afford to be ill. I don't even go to the doctors. As they say, 'the less you know, the better you sleep.' Not too long ago, I broke my arm. They suggested to operate me on, but I refused, and it healed incorrectly. Now, it's hard even to move... I used to grow vegetables in the garden, but now I can't even do that.
- Don't you have anyone to provide you at least a little support and help?
Lia: My parents passed away a long time ago. My brothers are struggling themselves. My husband's relatives aren't well-off either. Currently, they can barely provide for their own family, and they can’t help others. Someone, please explain how I can feed my children, buy medicine, and take them to the doctor. Maybe I'm wasting the allowance?
Fate is not always merciful to us, and in some families it comes with a heavy burden that is hard to deal with.
Lia's family's days are filled with misery and unhappiness. For many years, there is no room for happiness in their home. Tsitsi, Lia’s daughter suffers from a brain tumor, which brings her unbearable pain and deprives her of the happiness of childhood. Nikoloz is overcoming his ailments and suffering, but he is tormented by eye pains, even though he can't see. Lia's husband is experiencing heart attacks, and every day could be his last. And Lia herself suffers from anemia. And amidst all of this endless nightmare, they don't even have the money to buy medications and proper food." They eat only bread Their life has turned into a true battle for survival.
When we come across stories like this, we cannot remain indifferent. The family is in need, and if we don't help them, they will simply die. Medication, medical care, proper nutrition - this is what they urgently need right now.
Please consider how you can help and give them hope for a brighter morning after a long night of suffering. With your support, they can overcome their hardships and rediscover the joy in life.
If you are willing to visit this family and help them in person, here is their address: Sagarejo Municipality, village Tokhliauri.
Every time you can help someone, just do it, and rejoice that God answers someone's prayers through you!
We are sure that all together we will manage to save them from imminent death.
Please don’t forget to repost our story. Let your friends know about the grief of this family! It’s extremely important!
Friends, there is one more request: if you know about the misfortune of a neighbor or friend do a godly deed, drop us an email at: office-fsp@fsp.ge
Our Fund’s accounts are:
- In Bank of Georgia GE42LB0115113036665000
– In TBC Bank GE15TB7194336080100003;
– In Liberty Bank GE42LB0115113036665000
(Purpose: The Potskhverashvili family)
You can also transfer money from our website: TБC Bank (GeoPay), Bank of Georgia (e-commerce), Liberty Bank (PayGe), PayPal.
It is also possible to transfer money from TBCpay, ExpressPay and PayBox (OPPA) terminals. Find our Fund under "Charity" section (you can read more about rights and responsibilities of the Fund following the link https://goo.gl/GY2Gus).
We have already helped thousands of disadvantaged people! Let’s support this family too! And who knows, maybe someday we ourselves will need the help of strangers! Life is always unpredictable!
Even if you dial once this special number, it might save someone's life: 0901200270! God bless you!
