The second rehabilitation course for families with children with disabilities from Donbass has been completed in the Shakhty diocese. This is a joint project of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service and the social department of the Shakhty diocese.
Since July 15, 2024, 10 families with children with disabilities, including five families from Donbass, have been undergoing rehabilitation at the Berega Center for Children with Disabilities. The families received consultations from a neurologist, psychologist and speech therapist at the Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Habilitation of Children with Disabilities "Dobroteya" in Shakhty. Spiritual support for families has become an important part of rehabilitation.
"For parents of special children, such experience is invaluable," said Priest Vladislav Kasyanov, head of the Bereg project. — They understand that they are not alone with their trouble, that this is not a dead end, difficulties can be overcome, and much in the child's condition can be corrected, compensated, adjusted. They are greatly relieved and comforted."
On July 15, five families from Donbass arrived at the Bereg center. They lived in the Log park of the Old Village farm. Five more families from the Kamensky district came to the Loga Park during the week, attended classes and consultations at the center. During the rehabilitation, the children were examined by a neurologist, psychologist and speech therapist. According to parents from Donbass, many of the necessary specialists — doctors, psychologists, teachers — are absent or few in the conflict zone, so you have to wait several months for an appointment. Consultations took place in one day at the Bereg center. After that, the teacher-psychologist and speech therapist worked with parents and children for a week to work out the recommendations they received, master new tools and exercises and acquire skills.
Parents and children also had the opportunity to go to any attractions of the Loga Park for free. In addition, a vacation at the Venice Water Park was organized for children.
The organizers of the project paid special attention to the spiritual component of rehabilitation. The families received the support of Priest Vladislav Kasyanov. And on the patronal feast of the church in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh, the project participants prayed at the Divine Liturgy, those who wished to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
"We thank all those involved in the organization of treatment and recreation. We had a great time, got a boost of energy and cheerfulness, were examined and consulted by specialists from the Dobroteya center. The families were provided with all possible conditions for a comfortable life outside the home," said Natalia Grun, a participant in the rehabilitation.
The Bereg Center for Families with Children with Disabilities started working in May. He appeared at the courtyard of the church in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the Old Village farm in the Loga Park as part of the social project of the Shakhty diocese "City of Angels". The project is being implemented by the autonomous non-profit organization Complex Center for Social Initiatives named after St. John of Kronstadt, the founder of which is the Shakhty Diocese represented by Bishop Simon of Shakhty and Miller. During this time, 20 families with children with disabilities have been rehabilitated.