8-year-old Ukrainian refugee reunited with very important medical tools

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Mark Motorenko set free joyful squeals Saturday morning as Captain Doug Petti lifted him into a fireplace truck at Burnaby’s corridor No. 1. 

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It was the primary time the eight-year-old Ukrainian refugee had seen inside such a automobile. Usually, he cowers if sirens from the truck blast by way of his new Burnaby neighbourhood.

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“The sounds scare him,” mentioned his mom Yelyzaveta, 26, who fled from Kyiv to Canada 5 months in the past along with her husband Bogdan, 28.

The household got here to Metro Vancouver searching for a greater life for his or her son, who lives with cerebral palsy.

After Mark was lifted again down from the truck and into his wheelchair, he was introduced with 5 massive items by Petti, Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and Peter Julian, the MP of New Westminster-Burnaby.

The group invited the household to the firehall Saturday for a shock.

Beneath the wrapping paper was the standing machine Mark had used again dwelling to strengthen his muscular tissues, that are affected by a developmental illness that impacts his motion, steadiness and posture.

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The kid smiled with glee to see the return of remnants of his outdated life. The opposite items have been his walker and tricycle.

“It’s necessary for Mark’s mobility and high quality of life that he has these,” Bogdan mentioned. “They have been inconceivable for us to switch as a result of what prices $600 in Ukraine, prices $6,000 right here in Canada.”

Since battle broke out the place they lived in Kyiv in February, each mother and father agree that their son hasn’t fairly been himself.

Earlier than Russia’s invasion, Mark had made progress with every day physiotherapy and had begun to face on his personal and took his first step. However since Feb. 25, when the blast of a close-by missile awoke the kid in terror, he has been reluctant to maneuver.

“He’s very scared,” Yelyzaveta mentioned. “That’s why we left, he was so nervous each night time and would cry all night time concerning the battle.”

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The Motorenkos fled the Ukrainian capital days after the battle started in late February. They left their belongings behind.

By September, settled within the Decrease Mainland, they reached out to Julian’s workplace in determined want of retrieving their son’s specialised medical tools.

“It might value hundreds of {dollars} to ship their particular wants baby’s medical tools from Ukraine to Canada,” the MP mentioned Saturday in a information launch. “It was inconceivable for a refugee household, fleeing from a battle zone, to give you such an infinite quantity.”

So, the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society shortly stepped in to cowl the prices.

“We’re simply joyful to get this tools again into Mark’s arms,” Petti mentioned.

The household plans to haul the tools dwelling, to Burnaby, the place they stay with sponsors Susan Millar and Deepak Sahasrabudhe.

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Julian mentioned Saturday that a whole bunch of different Burnaby residents have provided up their houses to Ukrainian refugees this 12 months.

“Tragically, as this brutal invasion continues we are going to see extra households coming.”

The MP acknowledged the intense challenges the refugees face upon arriving in Canada. “My workplace is listening to some Ukrainian households listed below are struggling to place meals on the desk proper now.”

Julian mentioned, “the necessary factor is that as they arrive, they’re being supported by their new group — as Mark has.”

Yelyzaveta hopes that her son will quickly discover the braveness to attempt to stroll once more, with assist of the tools.

“We’re grateful for all of the Canadians who’ve helped us and Mark,” Yelyzaveta mentioned.

“If he’s joyful, we’re joyful.”

sgrochowski@postmedia.com

twitter.com/sarahgrochowski

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