“After receiving recommendations, we discovered the SANUS AXIS spinal clinic. Following years of sleepless nights, we are finally able to sleep through the night. My son Rolandas, who has a severe form of cerebral palsy, now smiles more often, feels better, and eagerly anticipates each session with the exceptional manual therapy specialist, Sergii Ratushnyi,” says Danuta R., a Vilnius resident who has been caring for her son with a disability since he was just three months old.
Rolandas visits SANUS AXIS with his parents twice a week. Previously, they attended three sessions weekly, but after noticing significant improvements, they have reduced their visits. They plan to continue coming a couple of times each month to maintain the progress achieved.
“Throughout the 27 years of Rolandas's life, we have explored countless therapies, consulted various specialists, and undergone numerous rehabilitative procedures and exercises. We have even travelled to Poland, but either we saw no improvement, or it was minimal and short-lived. While Rolandas's condition is quite severe and we do not expect him to walk or live independently, the noticeable improvement since starting treatment at SANUS AXIS is incredibly motivating. It encourages us to persist with our efforts both at the clinic and at home, where we engage in intensive exercises every day,” notes Danuta.
Rolandas was born prematurely but appeared healthy. However, at three months old, he suddenly developed severe diarrhoea, which led his parents to take him to the hospital. According to the mother, she brought home a completely different child.
“We took Rolandas to the hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care due to severe diarrhoea. Although he recovered, he contracted an infection of unknown origin while being hospitalized, and I brought home a completely different child – lethargic, no longer sucking on his pacifier, and constantly crying. The doctors reassured us not to worry, explaining that his frequent crying was typical for a premature infant; however, I instinctively felt that this behaviour was not normal. When Rolandas was one year and seven months old, we received the diagnosis of severe cerebral palsy and a lifelong disability,” Danuta recalls as she reflects on the onset of the illness.
A remarkable woman of unwavering strength refused to give in and was determined not to be defeated. She tirelessly sought aid for her son, but despite her best efforts, Rolandas's spasticity worsened with age, becoming increasingly painful. He struggled to sleep for more than three hours, compelling his mother to rise in the night to massage his entire body, which had tensed up to the point of uncontrollable shaking.
“When raising a baby, it is common not to get much sleep for a year or two, but I went without sleep for 27 years. While adapting to many challenges is possible, maintaining an optimistic outlook is essential. This became particularly difficult when we had our daughter and discovered she had Down syndrome, followed by a leukaemia diagnosis at the age of six. I spent three years in the hospital with her, which inevitably meant I could give less attention to Rolandas. However, we are a family that chooses not to dwell on illness or misfortune at home; instead, we focus on living as brightly as possible. To anyone who expresses their difficulties, I warmly invite you to visit and talk – you might find that your troubles are not as significant as they seem,” shares Danuta.
The woman believes her mission in life is to care for children with disabilities, and she feels grateful for the abundant support and assistance she receives from those around her.
“Our extended family, including parents, siblings, relatives, and neighbours, has been incredibly supportive, and we truly feel their strength behind us. Caring for a child with severe disabilities is significantly eased by places like SANUS AXIS and the exceptional specialists at the clinic. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the attentive and professional team at SANUS AXIS – the work you do is genuinely invaluable,” says Danuta R.
