Seeking support
Date Published:
My name is Cristian, I'm from the Republic of Moldova. I'm 23 years old and I have been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy since childhood, I may be the only adult with this diagnosis in our country. Since I had a brother with the same diagnosis, who passed away at the age of 14, my mother addressed to doctors since my early childhood. Thus from the age of 5, we would go 4 times a year for treatment. Each time my mother had to borrow money, to take us to the hospital, because she was working at the kindergarten with a small salary, it wasn't enough for us to pay for the trip, for the medicine and all other expenses that were in that two weeks. As I got older the expenses got higher and my mother started borrowing bigger sums from banks.
But in 2013, health problems started with my father too. He had several eye surgeries, because of which he could no longer work as a driver as he had before. Then he was diagnosed with a heart defect, after which he had ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and had an angioplasty. Most of the time he stayed at home, working seasonally and not every day, so it wasn't enough for his treatments either nor could he help me. Yet my mother didn't give up on me nor my father, she kept going on and taking us to doctors and treatments we needed.
At the moment I really need long term treatment, because since the age of 18 we can't even get to a hospital for a consultation or simple rehabilitation. The only facility in our country that has agreed to take me for a rehab is a private clinic, but the prices for our family are quite high. We also have a referral for treatment in Turkey, but there the amount is even higher, 500 USD a day and I need a month minimum.
I can see how hard my mother is trying to get me at least somewhere for treatment, but the bank debts that have accumulated over the years are pressing her harder and harder. She can't take out another loan to close the others, as her salary doesn't allow it. And there is no one we can borrow from. I feel very sorry that I'm not able to help my mother, and I'm afraid that one day we'll be left in the street because of the debts.
I wish so much to go to a treatment, but more I wish for a little support to help my mother to relieve the weight that is on her shoulders. I hope and believe that my wish will be heard.
But in 2013, health problems started with my father too. He had several eye surgeries, because of which he could no longer work as a driver as he had before. Then he was diagnosed with a heart defect, after which he had ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and had an angioplasty. Most of the time he stayed at home, working seasonally and not every day, so it wasn't enough for his treatments either nor could he help me. Yet my mother didn't give up on me nor my father, she kept going on and taking us to doctors and treatments we needed.
At the moment I really need long term treatment, because since the age of 18 we can't even get to a hospital for a consultation or simple rehabilitation. The only facility in our country that has agreed to take me for a rehab is a private clinic, but the prices for our family are quite high. We also have a referral for treatment in Turkey, but there the amount is even higher, 500 USD a day and I need a month minimum.
I can see how hard my mother is trying to get me at least somewhere for treatment, but the bank debts that have accumulated over the years are pressing her harder and harder. She can't take out another loan to close the others, as her salary doesn't allow it. And there is no one we can borrow from. I feel very sorry that I'm not able to help my mother, and I'm afraid that one day we'll be left in the street because of the debts.
I wish so much to go to a treatment, but more I wish for a little support to help my mother to relieve the weight that is on her shoulders. I hope and believe that my wish will be heard.
