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The feet of the unfortunate and kind-hearted Mariam have never touched the ground… Over the course of 20 years, her spine has curved to such an extent that her chest meets her knees. She has sores on her feet that bleed, it’s hard for her to breathe, every movement is challenging for her, but she is a person who knows how to struggle even in such dire conditions…. Decades have passed, but the curved spine and the wheelchair haven’t become symbols of her life. She herself has become a symbol of unwavering determination, a symbol of willpower that inspires everyone around her to fight for their dreams, even when circumstances seem incredibly challenging.
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Charity Number: One call saves a life!
Phone number:
0901200270
Twenty years ago, Nino gave birth to her daughter Mariam. Oh, how she longed for her, how she dreamed of her!
“My husband kidnapped me right from school when I was 15 years old. I was still a child myself, and when I learned that I was expecting a girl, I was so happy. I thought she would be my little doll, that I would dress her up and braid her hair. I hadn’t even had enough time to play with dolls when I became a mother. Family life was very tough for a little girl like me. I thought the birth of my daughter would be a celebration of my soul,” – says Nino, with tears streaming down her cheeks. – My unfortunate daughter had health issues, but both the doctors and my husband with his mother concealed it from me. However, what could they say to a 16-year-old girl who became the mother of a disabled child?”
Over the course of 20 years, Mariam’s spine has curved to such an extent that her chest meets her knees. Even the slightest wrong movement can be fatal for her. The girl can simply “break.”
As the years go by, Mariam’s condition becomes increasingly difficult. She and her mother Nino have already come to terms with the fact that she will never be able to walk, that she is not destined to live a normal life like other girls. But due to the lack of money even for basic pain-relieving medications, Mariam suffers. She has bleeding sores on her feet. She struggles to breathe due to the dampness, as the family lives in a garage. She has bleeding abscesses on h They don’t have the means to afford a proper room for rent. Every movement is challenging for her. Even to move from her wheelchair to the bed, Mariam has to wait for her mother, who is busy with cleaning jobs.
These wounds won’t heal… they fill with pus and cause Mariam unbearable pain. And how can these wounds be healed if there is no money for medicines and ointments?
Nino: 20 years ago, I was shocked to see an open wound on the back of my newborn girl. She was born with a congenital spinal abnormality – spina bifida. On the third day after childbirth, they performed surgery on the baby. Her condition was so critical that her nerve endings were damaged, and she was permanently deprived of the ability to walk. My husband and mother-in-law kept all of this from me. Trying to shield me from distress, they didn’t even let me hold her, saying I was still too young and might drop her… But just a few days later, I accidentally saw the wound on her back. Words can’t describe the horror I felt! From that moment on, for 4 years, we lived in hospitals. But I held onto hope that everything would work out and I’d manage to help my daughter stand on her own. With my little one in my arms, I rushed from one doctor to another, taking her for massages and various procedures. They probably knew they couldn’t help my girl, but they drained everything out of me – money, strength, nerves. It turned out to be all in vain.
“We are connected with Mariam. I can’t live without her – she can’t live without me”
– When did you learn the truth that Mariam is doomed?
Nino: I only learned about the futility of all my efforts four years later, from German doctors. And then the world collapsed for me. I thought, what’s the point of living if my child will never be able to walk and will suffer until the end of her days? My poor girl, my Mariam, has never walked and will never be able to. She is now 20 and has been confined to a wheelchair her entire life. I do everything in my power to provide her with a decent life. I worked in vineyards in the village, earned a living through strenuous physical labor, and here in Tbilisi, I take on any job I can find. Otherwise, we’ll simply starve to death.
Mari has been bound to a wheelchair for 20 years… and she will never walk
– You said you were just a child yourself when Mariam was born.
Nino: My husband kidnapped me at the age of 15, right from the school desk; we didn’t even know each other. He was 13 years older. Those were different times, returning home meant shame and a ruined future for a girl, and my parents probably wouldn’t have accepted me either. So, I became a mother while still being a child myself.
“At 16, I became a mom … I was still a child myself”
– And how did you end up here, in Tbilisi, and why do you live in this tiny, damp garage?
Nino: Two years ago, my husband and I decided to separate. Mariam’s condition deeply affected him; you know, men find it harder to cope with such blows. He developed an alcohol addiction… We were arguing every single day. And Mariam is very sensitive; she cries when something happens, she has heart problems, she suffocates. I made a hard decision, for my daughter’s peace of mind.
“The three of us live in a cramped garage that we rent as an apartment…I don’t have money for more than that”
– How do you manage to live in such conditions… it’s not even a room, but a garage!
Nino: You can see for yourself how we live. It’s cramped here, and the dampness is unbearable. But we can’t afford better conditions; I’m thankful to God that we have a roof over our heads. Mariam has outgrown her wheelchair long ago, it’s worn out, all the armrests are torn, she can hardly even sit in it. Because of that, her elbows are scraped. And due to her immobile lifestyle, horrible ulcers have formed on her heels, oozing some kind of liquid. I’m trying to help her somehow, but I only have enough for Vaseline and cheap ointments. She’s already suffering enough, and now there are these additional hardships. We don’t have enough beds; our grandmother sleeps on a broken chair. I have to sleep next to Mariam because she often has heart problems at night, or I have to change her diaper.
I have to sleep next to Mariam because her heart troubles her at night, or I have to change her diaper
– How do you find the strength within yourself?
Nino: Despite her physical condition, Mariam is just an ordinary girl – kind, conscientious, no different from her peers in any way. She simply can’t walk. And yet, she longs so much to live, to be outside, to have fun, like any other young person her age. But she’s deprived of that ability. I try to entertain her as best I can, not allowing her to feel bored. When I come home from work, I grab her wheelchair and “rush” with her to the yard, so she can at least breathe fresh air. It’s a pity we don’t have the money to take a taxi to a park somewhere, to show her something new and beautiful. For Mariam, the whole world is me. I am her legs, her eyes, and I don’t even want to think about what will happen to her if something happens to me. I’ve never shown my tears to Mariam, and I’m proud that I’m her mother.
“I’m just an ordinary girl, I have friends. I feel and experience everything. And when people look at me with disgust, I want to cry. It’s not my fault that I was born different from everyone else”
– What’s the most challenging part of taking care of your daughter?
Nino: She weighs over 60 kg, and it’s very difficult for me to bathe and dress her… You know, I used to constantly think about how my daughter could have been helped in Turkey, I blamed myself for not being able to earn more… But 6 years ago, I accidentally managed to get a consultation with doctors who came from Turkey. It was they who convinced me that the situation was hopeless… It was a completely bleak verdict, but the feeling of guilt for my poverty left me.
“I want to look beautiful, but it doesn’t always work out”
– Is Mariam your only daughter?
Nino: When Mariam was 4 years old and the doctors pronounced her sentence, and I thought of ending my life, it turned out that I was expecting my second child. It was as if a second breath had opened up for me… And you know, Giorgi truly turned my life and Mariam’s life around, they adore each other! Right now, he’s living with his father, but he comes to visit us for a week once a month. We don’t have enough beds, so he sleeps with me and my daughter, and she spends the whole night stroking his head. Mariam adores her brother – if there’s something delicious at home, she saves the tastiest piece for him. My son is still a child, he is 15, but he is already talking about moving in with us as soon as he finishes school – he will work and help me.
“I’m an ordinary girl, I just look different from others”
– Does anyone help you? What do you live on?
Nino: Our income consists of my daughter’s and my grandmother’s pensions. She moved here with us so that Mariam wouldn’t be alone, and I could have the opportunity to work. She’s quite elderly, sick, and can barely move, and that’s only within the house. Her pensions barely cover her medications, and with my daughter’s pension, I pay the rent for this garage. The rest – utilities, diapers, food – depends on how much I can earn from cleaning jobs. My friends help us as much as they can; just a couple of days ago, a friend gave me a bag of groceries and sweets for Nino. My father passed away from cancer six years ago, and my mother still hasn’t been able to pay off the debts for his treatment.
In this wheelchair, Mariam spends her entire life. Her legs and arms are all scraped up
– How can we improve your life?
Nino: We always lack diapers for my daughter and food… We don’t have enough beds; there are two old ones, where Mariam and I sleep. A washing machine would be a godsend. I’m not lazy, but besides work and taking care of my daughter and grandmother, hand washing such a volume of laundry takes a huge amount of energy and time. And if we had a television, it would be a great joy for Mariam! She loves watching TV series; it’s her only entertainment. My smart girl, she learned Turkish by herself from the internet just to watch her favorite shows without subtitles.
“For me, a television would be a salvation; through it, I could at least see the world”
– Mariam, what else do you do? What are your hobbies? Do you have many friends?
Mariam: I have a lot of friends, but they all live in the village. When they come to Tbilisi, they always visit me; we exchange messages, talk on the phone… I love them very much, and they love me. I think it’s important when you feel loved and accepted for who you are.
– Have you experienced non-acceptance?
Mariam: Not exactly non-acceptance. Besides willingness, you feel sidelong glances, you know, a vague feeling when people stare at you with either disgust or pity. No one should stare at people who are different from others in amazement. We’re not at fault for being different from you! We love life, have the same desires and dreams, and want to both love and be loved!
“Here I sit by the door and watch life pass by”
– What do you dream about?
Mariam: My biggest dream is to start working. I’ve reached out to many companies, explained my situation, and asked. But I either received empty promises or got no response at all…
– What would you like to do?
Mariam: I would really love to work as a manicurist. I understand that it’s challenging, that I would have to sit with my head down the whole day, but I love it so much! My dream is to work, to have my own earnings, even if they’re small, and to help my mom. She works so hard and never spares herself! I know your Fund has many wonderful friends, and I hope they will become my friends too. When you have many people around you, life becomes easier.
“Please help me feel like a human being”
– You probably can’t even imagine how many wonderful, kind, God-fearing people live in our country, and they will be happy to help you!
Nino: I have always believed in God, always knew that He wouldn’t leave us! You know, it’s when you yourself don’t know what kind of help you’re waiting for, but you simply ask Him for help! The Lord heard our prayers, you responded to our request for help, and you came. And now, with all my heart, I feel that this is the beginning of something very good in our lives!
Friends, sometimes fate presents us with challenges that are incredibly difficult to overcome. However, Nino and her beloved Mariam managed to do just that. Despite illness and financial hardship, they’ve held onto their love for each other and hope for the future. Isn’t this what truly matters in life? We should take inspiration from them and feel compelled to support them in their arduous journey.
To bring happiness to their lives, they need very little: a new wheelchair, medications for treating sores, beds, a washing machine, groceries, and diapers. And Mariam would be over the moon if we could give her a television! Because it’s her only source of entertainment.
If you are willing to visit this family and help them in person, here is their address: Tbilisi, Nutsubidze 3 plateau, garage next to building 7.
Every time you can help someone, just do it, and rejoice that God answers someone’s prayers through you!
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;
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!
Mariam will now be able to move independently with the help of an electric wheelchair donated by the Fund. It will replace her legs. Every morning, when she starts the motor, she will remember your warmth and incredible kindness. No, she won’t just be riding; she’ll be flying because, along with the feelings of happiness and joy, you have given her wings.
“I couldn’t imagine that even in this condition I would be able to feel happiness and joy!”
Mariam is only 20 years old – she is a girl with a tender heart and deep emotions. Her foot has never touched the ground. She has never run along the seashore. She never fell during her childhood, and she never showed her scraped knees to her grandmother, hoping for a kiss and a scolding for her mischievousness. She has been confined to a wheelchair since birth, and her family suffers from deprivation, poverty, and hunger! Oh, how terrible it is when a mother can’t even afford to buy a proper wheelchair for her little sunshine! Mother cried, and Mariam cried…
The rickety little wheelchair also seemed to cry because it couldn’t grow alongside Mariam. On the contrary, it became old and small, and it looked at the sores and oozing pus on the girl’s feet with a guilty gaze… The tears dried up, the anticipation of days full of light and joy… But the hardships didn’t heal, the pus didn’t dry up, and the pain in the little angel’s soul didn’t subside.
What happened next? “Then you came into our lives, amazing people, like kind wizards or skilled surgeons with golden hands, to make the suffering on my girl’s face disappear,” says mother Nino, tears welling up in her eyes. “Just look at her now!” You filled her extinguished eyes with light!” – It is a real miracle!
Journalist: You even made me cry… I came just to take an interview!
Nino (Mariam’s mother): It is impossible to write our story without tears.
– But what happened next when our Fund published a post about you? The whole of Georgia read it, everyone was in tears, people reached out to you and wrote thousands of comments … What happened afterward?
Nino: Everyone saw the festering wounds on my daughter’s feet. Mariam sat in a small, broken wheelchair that was uncomfortable for her. Due to her body deformity, the load was placed on her immobile legs, and in my opinion, this was the main reason for these ulcers. We couldn’t afford the treatment. It all comes down to money, right? What can I, a lonely, unhappy mother, do? Especially when we have to pay rent even for this damp garage.
Probably not even a day passed since the post was published when a very kind immigrant woman contacted us. My goodness, we even reached people in Italy… Natia (that’s the name of our noble immigrant) bought ointments for us. The medications for one course of treatment were sent to our home by a courier service.
Mrs. Nano from Kutaisi also sent us 3 “portions” of a wonderful ointment. Mrs. Tsitso, who also lives in Kutaisi, bought in America a therapeutic spray and ointment for my Mariam. These ointments turned out to be so magical that their production and acquisition were clearly associated with the grace of God and His helping hand! Then, Mrs. Lia from Saguramo appeared – a person with a golden heart. She first called us and visited then us herself. Can you imagine, a kind 63-year-old lady brought us 10 boxes of ointment with her own hands!
Mariam: Grandmother Lia even gifted me some perfume. Can you catch its scent? I truly enjoy it! Today, I spritzed some perfume in celebration of your visit.
– So many marvelous ointments have helped Mariam. As far as I see it, her feet have healed…
“My Sofia might be taking up my space – this electric wheelchair is mine, but I believe there’s enough room for both of us here…”
Nino: The ointments helped Mariam. The new electric wheelchair and the abundance of kindness that people shared from their hearts also helped her!
Mariam: Isn’t kindness a balm itself?! I knew that you wouldn’t let my mom and me perish, no matter how dire our situation was.
– Of course, my dear, all of Georgia will stand by you again!
Mariam: The biggest miracle for me is this wheelchair. Look at how well I can operate the remote control! At first, it was a bit challenging for me (laughs). I almost bumped into the chairs…
– “Almost” doesn’t count… I would have bumped into something in this tiny room too…
Nino: When she sat in the wheelchair and got settled, you should have seen the relief on her face… It’s as if she became a different person, more beautiful, happier… My heart stops when I think about one thing… (She paused, as if reconsidering speaking)
– About what?
Nino: People get upset that they can’t travel the world, and my girl was locked within four walls with her old wheelchair. How much I wish for everyone to appreciate their health and what they have!
– Marikuna, can you go for a walk independently now?
Mariam: I walk in the park, in the yard… Now with the help of little Sofia, the cat, it’s enough (laughs).
In this photo, Sofia the cat is also smiling, but with her whiskers… If Mariam is happy, then Sofia is happy too!
Nino: Friends gave her this kitten for her birthday, and she loves it like a daughter!
Mariam: This is my daughter. I probably won’t have another child… Well, I have two more “friends”: a TV and a tablet, which your Fund bought for me. You can’t imagine how happy you’ve made me. My great-grandmother and I sit by the screen and watch different movies. How else can we pass the time?
It’s hard for my grandmother to walk too. (She got a bit sentimental, paused, and then continued) I love Turkish TV series. I even started a fan club page for Eren Oren. Do you know how many followers I have? You can’t imagine the feeling when Eren himself looks at my posts.
“What should I do? I really love Turkish TV series and my idol. I would like to meet him or even go on a trip to Turkey…”
– I know you even learned Turkish…
Mariam: Now when I have a tablet, I want to learn it better. Yes, I know Turkish, but I want to reach a higher level. For that, I need a teacher, someone to teach me at least “online.” Maybe then I can work remotely and help my mom. I want to have the opportunity to realize myself too. Otherwise, I’ll die…
– Do you no longer want to pursue a career in manicure? As far as I remember you used to dream about it too…
Mariam: Of course, I still want to! I’ve already learned how to do it. Haven’t you heard the news?
– No, please tell me.
Mariam: On August 28th, on the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, our neighbor, a very kind person, gave us a wonderful day. She took us for a walk to the zoo and Vake Park, and she treated us to ice cream. When we were getting ready to leave and had already gotten into the taxi she had called home, a girl approached us with a beautiful box in her hands. And you know what was in that box? A gel nail kit and a whole collection of nail polishes! If I could jump, I would have jumped out of the taxi. You can’t imagine how I felt. I had been dreaming about this trip all week, and then, when I was already in the taxi, I wanted to go back home and enjoy my gifts… I couldn’t wait to take everything out of the box and make my mom’s nails beautiful.
Nino: Tako found us as we were getting into the taxi. She found our garage by asking questions to people in the neighborhood. She is such a nice girl, you know… But I couldn’t even invite her home; it was an awkward situation, and the taxi was waiting for us…
Mariam: However, our relationship didn’t end there. To this day, Tako, Teona, and another immigrant girl help me learn gel nail techniques. Teona works near our house, and she gave me a cuticle machine. The immigrant girl sent me files and many additional tools by mail. They have become very dear to me. I want to send lots of kisses and love to everyone.
“Soon my friends will appear in a social network and show me how to create original nail designs with gel polish. We have an interesting project ahead!”
– So, do you have all the necessary equipment now?
Mary: Yes. Look at my mom’s nails! This is my work! She’s so enthusiastic about it that she allows me to repaint them frequently. She says it will help me improve… However, I think she enjoys applying gel polish herself. (Laughs)
My free client is in shape and eagerly waiting for the final result!”
Nino: Your Fund helped to find “friends” not only for Mariam but for me too (laughs). Like this washing machine, iron, blender, coffee machine… all your gifts. These appliances make my everyday work easier. We didn’t have any appliances… We didn’t have anything at all. Even the furniture here belongs to the landlady. The beds are very bad, and the sofa is uncomfortable – my grandma can’t sleep on it at all. But what can you do, nothing new fits in this garage, so we have to make do with what we have! However, an iron folding bed with a mattress, a “cot,” would make our grandma happy and extend her life.
“Imagine, I used to do the cleaning, then come home very tired, and wash everything by hand… Oh, it hurts even to remember that…”
Mariam: Your Fund helped us with groceries. For the first time, I could choose all the delicious things I was missing before at the supermarket.
“Now we have a blender, and we can quickly prepare many dishes!”
She really likes the iron, but there is no ironing board, so she has to iron on the kitchen table
“I want to make you iced coffee with my own hands.” It turns out I can do everything myself, and I thought it would be difficult…”
Nino: In connection with groceries, I can’t help but mention one woman – Mrs. Melano, who sent us treats from the village – a variety of dairy products. I am grateful to her. I know that Mrs. Melano herself is having a tough time. She parted with, took away from herself and her family, and helped my daughter… You have to be a strong person not to have tears in your eyes when you hear such stories. Does everyone who donated money to the Fund lead carefree lives? I know that those in need also contribute money when it comes to children’s lives. Oh, how much I love you all!
Mariam: Thank you all for the soft pillows, colorful bed sheets, blankets, and throws…
Nino (continues) For the calls, warm words, encouraging comments, and the prayers whispered by touched people after reading the article: “Lord, protect and help the grandmother, mother, and daughter who found themselves in such trouble!”
– As far as I see, the emigrants were very active.
Nino: They were the most active! I received up to 10 messages a day. They sent us many diapers. Can you imagine how difficult it is for me to buy diapers when I don’t even have money for food? Two emigrant women, Natia and Shorena, sent us diapers for 4-5 months. Imagine! That’s how Georgia’s emigrants are! People are separated from their families due to hardships and a difficult life. They went so far away, they struggle, and they care for complete strangers. Such kindness is priceless, isn’t it?! Another woman also helped us with diapers. Mrs. Nino sent her little son to us with gifts. This is how real mothers raise their children – from a young age, they teach them to do good deeds. Now we’ll have enough of the diapers for at least 6 months. God, before, I could barely afford to buy even one.
“It’s all for you, Mom’s fairy!”
– Was there any help from the government, or maybe a response from local authorities?
Nino: We are invisible to them. And we’ll stay that way. You know, we can’t even receive social allowance because we’re not registered in Tbilisi. Where can we register? We don’t have anything anywhere… If I had some kind of benefits, even in the form of rent or temporary housing, it wouldn’t be so difficult.
But you provided food for my sick grandmother and my helpless daughter. Now, as we approach the issue of rent payment, I want to tell you about a young couple. They contacted me through Facebook and promised to help with the rent… My heart sank when I heard that they are street musicians. My God, you are so young, and you have such big and beautiful hearts. May the Lord bless you and grant you to find your way from the street stage to the big stage. I imagine how many people you will be able to help.
Mariam: For us, the lack of housing is an unsolvable problem, and renting decent housing is impossible. That’s why we rent this garage. My mom works so much that sometimes I worry she’ll collapse. You know, if she has to clean two apartments in a day, she leaves home at seven in the morning and may not return until eleven at night. I feel so sorry for her. That’s why I want to work, even remotely, so I can help her. I’ll become a really good specialist in both the Turkish language and gel nail techniques.
«Don’t forget about us!»
Nino: It makes me want to cry when I hear these words. My girl… how will she manage… I don’t know… I don’t know…
We also feel like crying, Nino! We also want to thank all the friends of the Fund who supported you. We would like to thank our readers who followed us to the end and are now reading these lines, who shared the suffering and joy of little Mariam.
This project is not ending here. The food will run out soon, diapers too, and the rental problem is far from over. Mariam also needs special care. We don’t know how it is possible to handle all of this alone. Therefore, I once again urge everyone to continue communicating with you, visit you, and help you either directly or through our Fund. We are always with you.
If you have a heavy heart because of everyday problems or unresolved issues, as a distraction just see our posts on Facebook, or better call any of our beneficiaries, and all your problems will seem unimportant to you, compared with the problems of those to whom you helped in the most difficult moment of their lives.
Our problems are nothing if compared… Here are true misfortunes, in front of your eyes! Just thank the Lord for what you have. You are the happiest person in the world! Remember this and help those in need.
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
Your kindness is a chance for yourself to be happy!
Friends, thanks again to each of you!
Our Fund’s accounts are:
– In Bank of Georgia GE42LB0115113036665000
– In TBC Bank GE15TB7194336080100003;
– In Liberty Bank GE42LB0115113036665000;
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).
Let’s believe that by helping others, we take care of our own souls and draw closer to Lord through the suffering that we share with them!
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