Little girl Antea

Our story begins on June 28, 2016, when our Antea was born, from a normal pregnancy, as the third child in our family. Until today, we have no answer as to what happened, why, and do not have official medical diagnosis. First answer from doctor was that she will not be able to hear or see, her motor skills were very bad, she could not keep her head up, swallow, move or sit like a normal baby. From the moment she was born Antea is not eating normal food and as baby for 3,5 years it was fed through feeding tube.

Despite the bad prognosis, that she will not see or hear, that her brain was damaged (Dysphagia) Antea slowly made progress and starts to recover with small steps. After 3,5 years our little angel hears, sees but there is still long journey in front of us.

Antea still has very bad motoric skills, the only thing that helps her are specialized rehabilitation therapy, in which we are involved with professional therapist, but rarely only once a week covered by social security. This type and frequency of rehabilitation is not enough. With more frequent and specialized rehabilitation therapy we can achieve even more.

Antea still doesn’t speak, has no verbal communication, doesn’t walk or eat normal food. She lives in her own world, likes to watch cartoons with lots of colors and happy songs likes to communicate in her own way with her family. Her progress is slow but visible through time.

During the years we managed to remove the feeding tube by paying special therapy for electrostimulation of muscles, thanks to the speech therapy office “Kraljev Govor”.

All of journey has exhausted us financially, emotionally but when we see Antea progress we can’t give up. All our family and friends are encouraging us to ask for help.

Our social security is not covering rehabilitation process which includes exercise with professionals for improving motoric skills, electrostimulation of muscles, special equipment for children with special needs such as a car seat that should provide safety when going to therapy.

Costs of car seat adapted to Antea is cca 300 EUR

Electrostimulation of the muscles is 50 EUR half an hour

If we collect enough money we would sent Antea to rehabilitation in robotics or search abroad special clinics which provide rehabilitation for children like Antea are abroad, cost for those treatments are high; one treatment for robotics costs 15.000 EUR which is only a starting point.

Thanks to all good people who can help me!

Antea & family Josipa (mother), Siniša (father), Jana (sister), Leonid and Josip (brothers)