Let’s help to the paralysed painter Mareks Odumins to recover the movement ability! He is painting with the brush in mouth!

Mareks Odumins is 27 years old, the 1st group disabled person with overall body paralysis, who is able to move only the facial muscles. Five years ago Mareks unfortunate jumped into the lake and broke three cervical vertebrae as result he became the disabled person. Boy's life turned around for 180 degrees - now he is not able to eat, to do every day life and hygienic procedures by himself. Mareks is entirely dependent on other people's help, and daily all the time beside him is the assistant or mother.

Despite the accident Mareks is joyful, smiling, motivated and he is painting by holding the brush in mouth! He has finished with good results the 1st distance learning school in Riga.

Despite his handicap Mareks is painting by holding the brush in mouth! Unbelievable, but he is the author of 30 great paintings - the first personal exhibition of paintings by Mareks was held last year in May 28 in Riga (Latvia) during which all of his paintings were sold. The number of sold paintings is a great inspiration for future Marek’s jobs and growth! Last year collected funds allowed to Mareks at his own expenses to go to Haapsalu Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, Estonia. There is available a exercise machine “balance trainer” in the rehabilitation center in Haapsalu - legs and hips are fixed, but the upper part of the body is loosed and the need is to hold the balance. For first time Marek could not hold the body even for 10 seconds, on the second time he held the body for 2 minutes, but in the third time - already 5 minutes.

After the performed rehabilitation course in Haapsalu, Mareks was able to drive with an electric wheelchair by controlling it by his hand. Until the rehabilitation course in Estonia the guy was moving in a specialized wheelchair, which was controlled by his chin and a special computer program that worked by clicking buttons with his mouth.

To recover some little arm movements and achieve improvements such rehabilitation course must be repeated at least once a year. It’s difficult for Mareks to ask for the help to others, but his disability pension per month is only 440,- EUR. For this amount he has to hire and pay to the assistant (he cannot eat, drink, go to WC by himself without the help!), pay the accommodation bills and buy some food.

Unfortunately now Mareks is not financially feasible to cover the costs for the 2nd rehabilitation course in June, 2017 in Haapsalu Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, Estonia. He will have extensive rehabilitation programme: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, electrotherapy, usage of neurorobotics LokomatPro ® walking robot or Armeo Spring upper extremity robot, massage, psychology etc.

The required funding for the 25 days rehabilitation course in Haapsalu Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, Estonia is 2900,- EUR.

“Palīdzēsim.lv” (www.palidzesim.lv) is a non-governmental charity organization in Latvia established in 2009. The aim of the organization is to help children and youth living in Latvia, who were affected by health problems and other problems important for social life and social integration.

4 main activities of the organization:

1. Support in solving health problems - collection of donations for surgeries, rehabilitation and treatment courses, medicines etc.
2. Organization of social integration and education events - attendance to cultural activities (theatre, opera, music concerts etc), sport events, creative workshops, summer camps for children with special needs, educational seminars etc.
3. Provision of primary assistance (food, household goods, furniture, etc.);
4. Provision of consultations to families (social help, accessibility of medical services, involvement of mentors etc.).