Help Daniela

Two years ago the society was shocked by a story of an absolutely healthy girl Daniela Petersone suddenly getting into vegetative state, which is similar to coma. Doctors diagnosed a severe disease – brain tumour, secondary hydrocephalia and as a result –vegetative state of the organism. 

For all of his life she has been a healthy, active, kind and curious girl. Parents loved her more than words can say. But once she started complaining about headaches. Pills, which normally should take away the pain, did not help at all. And the headaches were not leaving, starting to affect girl’s mood and health.

In March 2010 Daniela was admitted to Children Clinical University Hospital. After long tests and examinations and a treatment course the doctors confirmed the horrifying diagnosis: cysticercosis within brain, and secondary hydrocephalia. The girl was in the vegetative state – basically it was coma.

Taking into account the location and spread of the tumour, any radical treatment (a surgery, radiological or chemical treatment) was impossible. There was nothing doctors could do to help this girl and they sent her home to keep waiting for her destiny.

What parent would accept that? Daniela’s mother was confident that until her girl’s heart is beating, she feels, she understands everything, she is just unable to say that. A little while ago she was just fine, walking, talking, laughing and dreaming! And there she was, lying still with eyes shut, not talking, not moving, but she is still alive and parents were more than sure that there is some chance to cure their child!

They kept searching for options. And there was some hope found in Germany, where doctors agreed to accept Daniela for examinations to specify the diagnosis and to consider the surgery. With the support of the Latvian people it was possible to send Daniela to Germany. There the diagnosis was specified and the doctors concluded that the prescribed treatment should be continued and the changes might come.

The money donated for Daniela helped to provide her everything necessary after she was discharged from the hospital. She was supplied with specialized nutrition – a medical formula feeding Nutrisons, which she needs in the amount of 1 litre per day. And the 1-litre pack costs14 $.

In order to keep DA’s organism from atrophy of basic functions, the doctors recommend exercising with a physician, ergotherapist and logopedist. Daniela was supplied with a specialized adjustable bed with electronic control; a bath seat, specialized wheelchair for taking walks outside. We have done everything in our power.

Now Daniela is slowly recovering from coma. She is reacting on the surrounding world – she smiles when he likes something. She is listening to the fairytales her mother reads her, and she is watching cartoons, yet only with her right eye, because it is hard for her to open her left eye yet.

A physician and a logopedist are constantly working with this girl. And the progress is obvious.

But there is not much money left in Daniela’s Fund. And the girl still needs specialized nutrition, because she is being fed through a tube. Also Daniela needs regular exercise with specialists and an annual rehabilitation course. The girl is growing and some specialized equipment is needed in the apartment, a lifting device is needed.

In total the amount needed is 8000 $.

Parents cannot imagine where to find so much money, because only one of them can earn money, the other one has to stay with Daniela all the time.

The girl now has a chance to recover from coma, but your support is crucial – parents will not make it on their own. Their hope and love can make miracles happen, and together we can do a lot more than we could ever imagine.