The story of Marianthi who suffers from West syndrome

Marianthi is a 2-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with West syndrome (Epileptic encephalopathy), an extremely rare condition with onset in infancy that causes severe damage to the central nervous system. As a result, the little girl remains confined to a bed, unable to move or communicate, while she is exhibiting severe intellectual disability. As moths went by, the little girl frequently suffered from severe respiratory infections, as she could not clear oral and nasal secretions due to fact that she constantly remained in a lying position. She was often hospitalized and treated with IV antibiotics. Her daily life was quite challenging, since she also had trouble breathing. The doctors who cared for her strongly recommended that she were immediately submitted to an intensive respiratory and physio-kinetic therapy program, which would help improve her respiratory and metabolic functions and reduce muscle tightness and joint stiffness. They also recommended that the family acquired an adjustable bed, where the little girl would be able to lay in a reclining position and breathe more easily. Marianthi’s parents were doing the best they could in order to find a way to afford the necessary treatments and orthopedic devices that would improve their daughter’s quality of life.
However, that was impossible. Their health insurance only covered a small part of the expenses, and the mother could no longer work, since the little girl required 24 hour care. The family came to a dead end, so they decided to reach out to us for help. We paid a visit to the parents in order to evaluate the situation and they informed us about their needs in expendable medical supplies, medicine, orthopedic devices and physiotherapy sessions. We immediately organized the “Campaign for Marianthi’s rehabilitation”, in order to raise the sum required for the child’s medical needs and for a year’s worth treatment sessions. Within a short period of time, our little friend began to follow an intensive physiotherapy program and from the very first sessions, the caregivers noticed an improvement of her metabolic and respiratory functions. We visited an orthopedic store and we purchased the adjustable bed as well as a great amount of expendable medical supplies that were required for the little girl’s condition. Furthermore, we came in contact with the drug store from where the parents acquired their daughter’s medicine in order to settle their debt, while we paid in advance for the total cost of a year’s worth medication.
We also paid in advance for an annual home-based physiotherapy program. This way, the parents wouldn’t have to worry about the financial aspects; instead, they could focus all their energy in their child’s care. Together, we managed to provide to this family, emotional and moral support throughout their ordeal. But what’s most important is the fact that we managed to improve a little child’s quality of life. We sincerely hope that Marianthi’s condition continues to improve, while we pledge to stand by this family’s side for as long as it takes!

View Marianthi’s campaign

This 2,5 year-old girl has been diagnosed with West syndrome, an extremely rare condition with onset in infancy that causes epileptic spasms and severe motor deficit and cognitive impairment. When she was just three days old, she started manifesting epileptic seizures, which required specialized medication and long-term hospitalization.
Since then, the poor girl remains paralyzed, confined to a bed, unable to communicate or perceive her surroundings, while she is being fed by a nasogastric tube. Furthermore, due to the fact that she remains in a reclining position, she often suffers from severe respiratory infections which are treated with IV antibiotics.
The girl’s medical records have been thoroughly evaluated by the organization’s pediatrician, Mrs. Noula Paraskevi.
It’s imperative that the little girl is immediately subjected to regular physiotherapy sessions that will improve her respiratory functions and prevent bedsores and joint stiffness. However, her family cannot afford her treatments, nor the expendable medical supplies needed on monthly basis.
Let us all support Marianthi so that she can have a better quality of life!
Any contribution, big or small, can make a difference!
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Update 22.12.21
 
Together, we’ve made it happen!
 
Thanks to the immediate response and sensitivity of our fellow citizens we have managed to ensure the annual cost for Marianthi’s rehabilitation program! After your touching and immediate response, we have managed to ensure the costs — that are not covered by the family’s health insurance — for Marianthi’s physiotherapy sessions, for the necessary medication and for the expendable medical supplies, for a whole year.Furthermore, we have provided her with a specialized reclining bed that will improve her respiratory functions, since being confined to a bed, in a lying position, caused severe problems to her circulatory and respiratory system. Marianthi has been recently subjected to a series of physiotherapy sessions and her metabolic functions have already shown great improvement. Also, the joint stiffness symptoms she has been experiencing are gradually subsiding. We feel very optimistic about her condition and we believe that it will slowly but steady improve.
On behalf of her family, we would like to kindly thank all of you for your support and your defining contribution. Thanks to all of your help this child can have a better quality of life!We thank you from the bottom of our heart, for your defining support and for the trust you have been showing in us all these years.Any act of kindness, can offer the gift of life to so many children who need our help!

The students of Anatolia High School and the company “Joom” performed an “act of kindness”! Using materials kindly sponsored by the company “Joom”, and under the guidance of the Head of the Visual Arts Department, Mrs. Christine Douris, the students of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program of Anatolia High School created a series of collectable items that were donated to the Organization in order to support children who are experiencing financial difficulties and health problems. The items created by these young artists were displayed on 17th, 18th and 19th of December, at the “Asterocosmos” Christmas Park located at the International Fair of Thessaloniki.

Χριστουγεννιάτικο Φιλανθρωπικό Bazaar από τον Οργανισμό Προστασίας Παιδιού & Οικογένειας “Πράξη Αγάπης”

Just days before Christmas, we have managed to spread hope and smiles to the children who were being hospitalized in the Pediatrics ward of the "Papageorgiou" General Hospital of Thessaloniki! 

In a festive mood, representatives and volunteers of the Organization, met with the nursing stuff and gave them a variety of handmade wooden boxes filled with toys, in order to be offered to the children who were being hospitalized that time of year. 

The initiative was orchestrated by members of the "Act of Kindness" organization, who, while following all the necessary safety measures, managed to spread the holiday spirit! 

This Christmas, the students of Anatolia High School and the company "Joom", perform an act of kindness! 

Using materials, kindly sponsored by the company "Joom", and under the guidance of the Head of the Visual Arts Department, Mrs. Christine Douris, the students of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program of the Anatolia High School have created a series of collectable items that were donated to our organization. 

You will find these amazing creations at our Christmas Charity Bazaar, at the "Asterocosmos" Christmas Park, which is located in the outdoor area of the International Fair of Thessaloniki.