Nikoloz was born with this terrible condition 15 years ago, and every day since has been a living nightmare.  He cannot talk. He can only make a few sounds. The poor boy can’t even close his mouth properly. And even when he manages to do so, it’s only for a couple of minutes – then the two tongues push it open again. It’s heartbreaking. It’s worse than a nightmare.

And this is not the only issue he faces.  There’s what looks like a hump growing on his back. He suffers from intense spinal pain. Nikoloz was also born with a severe congenital heart defect.

His first heart surgery was done when he was a newborn. The second and third were performed when he was five and seven. But the most terrifying part is that Nikoloz was born without an atrial septum, and his heart has only three chambers instead of four. This means oxygen and carbon dioxide mix together in his blood.  His life is constantly hanging by a thread, and his heart could stop at any moment. Oh Lord, please don’t let this tragedy happen to the Berberashvili family.  Nikoloz also struggles to walk.  He can only take a few steps before collapsing from exhaustion.
The rest… well, you can probably imagine yourself, dear reader.

This is the horrible scene we witnessed when we visited the Javellidze family. 11-year-old Mariam had so severe attack, she couldn’t even breathe. Thank God, kind neighbors rushed in and helped her mother revive the poor child. Mariam’s mom is a group 2 disabled person. Do you think these terrifying attacks are the only problem this girl faces? Unfortunately, no. Brace yourself, now I have to tell you the worst part. This little girl has a disease that usually doesn’t occur in children her age. At just 11 years old, Mariam has a severe form of diabetes. This horrible disease started one year ago. But what I’m about to tell you will chill you to the bone. This 11-year-old child injects herself with insulin every day. God, it’s unbelievable!

Elene, 7 years old.
Diagnosis: Hydrocephalus, Spina Bifida.
What help is needed: Surgery in Turkey
Surgery cost: $15,000
Illness doesn’t ask permission to come—it strikes children, adults, regardless of age. It enters a family, dividing life into “before” and “after”… It brings fear, pain, and uncertainty. No one is immune to it… And it’s so important that kind people are nearby at such moments. We thank you, Lord, for sending us this beautiful child, little Elene.  Thank you for giving us a chance to save her from pain and endless suffering! Please help! And soon, you’ll see the result of your kindness!

This is 10-year-old Elen. Elene was born with a spinal hernia. Her little heart has endured nine rounds of anesthesia. Her first surgery was at just four months old, the second at age four, and the third—just one year ago, at nine. With hope in her heart, she went into her last operation. Tragically, it turned her life upside down. The third operation turned out to be devastating for this little girl. It caused paralysis in her legs, leaving her completely numb below the waist.  Worse still, her legs became so severely deformed that she can no longer bend her knees or walk properly.

Lali, mother (22 years old): Please, dear (she turns to the correspondent, her voice filled with sorrow), please say this so that other mothers can hear me: My heart breaks when I see my child – my own flesh and blood – suffering! I would give her my own legs if I only knew such surgeries were possible! But one doctor said that abroad, they can perform operations like this. Her feet are deformed and don’t bend properly. Her legs are so thin and fragile that her bones crack with every step— her mother is terrified they will break. Without your help, Anna-Maria won’t make it! Please extend a helping hand and give this little girl a chance at a normal life!

Mariam’s scoliosis is pressing harder and harder on her lungs each day – sometimes completely cutting off her oxygen supply. The pain she endures is unbearable. She can’t sleep, she can’t stand up, she can’t even turn over in bed. 

Her ribcage is becoming more deformed with each passing day, and no painkillers can ease her suffering anymore. Her parents are praying on their knees for just one thing: to get her abroad for the surgery that could save her life. But where can a nearly destitute family find such a huge amount of money? If we waste any time, it will be too late. 

Lika, mother (37 years old): “I’ve been carrying my daughter in my arms for 18 years, and I will carry her for as long as I live… but I’m running out of strength.

She is 18 now – the best years of a girl’s life. Sometimes dark thoughts creep into my mind, making me wonder if God has forgotten some of us. But I immediately pray, because I know thinking that way is a terrible sin. I believe that in moments like these, God gives us all a chance – to defeat the devil through kindness and compassion!

Mariam was born with microcephaly—her skull developed abnormally, leaving no room for her brain to grow.