 My 11-year-old daughter, Alisa, is my little princess. She was born with severe cerebral palsy – a disability that means she can't walk or talk – but I feel a deep connection with her. For me, it's a joy to take care of her. On our walks along the West Midlands canals together, I describe everything that's around – the birds singing, the wind blowing the leaves in the trees, a dog chasing a ball, children playing – it makes her calm. She especially loves it when we feed the birds. It makes me very happy as I'm always trying to help her enjoy her life. Alisa's life in the UK is worlds away from the conflict we had to escape in our home country, Ukraine, last year. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay there to help fight in the war because of my daughter's care needs – so this is the best place for us at the moment. From the minute Alisa was born in Ukraine, my wife, Olha, and I tried to create a comfortable environment for her. It took us time to adapt the house for her needs, like building special ramps, entrances, walkways and furniture. The same year we had Alisa, I started DCP Help, a charity to support families like mine who have children with cerebral palsy. In Ukraine, a lot of fathers leave their families if their child is born with a disability. I can honestly say that I have never felt unhappy with her in my life (Picture: Ruslan Vasyutin) It wasn't like that for me. I was waiting to be a father for many years – in fact, I was dreaming of her and even thought of her name before she was born. My mission is to be her father, nothing else is as important as that. I can honestly say that I have never felt unhappy with her in my life. But then last year, war broke out in Ukraine. Escaping conflict with your family is one thing, imagine what it's like if your child has a disability that requires around-the-clock care? I heard the early explosions and it was a shock for several days. I was watching){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
My 11-year-old daughter, Alisa, is my little princess.
She was born with severe cerebral palsy – a disability that means she can’t walk or talk – but I feel a deep connection with her. For me, it’s a joy to take care of her.
On our walks along the West Midlands canals together, I describe everything that’s around – the birds singing, the wind blowing the leaves in the trees, a dog chasing a ball, children playing – it makes her calm.
She especially loves it when we feed the birds. It makes me very happy as I’m always trying to help her enjoy her life.