It’s not them, it’s us
17th March was a truly Ukrainian day at the European Parliament in Brussels. On this day, the conference titled “All children deserve a future” under my patronage celebrated the achievements of Professor Vladimir Koziavkin’s famous method of cerebral palsy treatment. Aimed at promoting the revolutionary approach to dealing with CP-related disorders, the event paved the way for a better social integration of the disabled in European societies. At the same time, it championed the idea of bringing Ukraine and the European Union closer together.
Ukraine has a very special place in Europe. Recently, a great deal of criticism has been levelled at Ukraine for its deepening internal crisis and political unpredictability. However, no domestic turmoil should ever hamper the country’s efforts to realise its European aspirations. Ukraine should be viewed in Europe as an opportunity, not a threat. The Koziavkin method provides the best example of how Ukraine can enrich the European Union and improve the quality of life of its people. By supporting Ukraine, all Europeans have the opportunity to reap the benefits of the multi-level mutual cooperation. It is time to realise that by helping “them”, we will further our own cause.
My views were echoed by Professor Koziavkin himself, who called for a multilateral approach to the cerebral palsy issue. He stressed that his method offers hope for CP patients, but far too few people across the continent receive the treatment at an early stage, when a quick recovery is best assured. A great number could be fully integrated into the society were they simply aware of this possibility.
Koziavkin rightly praised the unprecedented approach pioneered by the Norwegian government, which sponsors the complete treatment of its citizens and the related research projects as part of its long-term investment in the health of the nation. His enthusiasm for the way Norway has championed his method was shared by Mr. Frank Hoover, a molecular neurobiologist from Bergen, who highlighted the numerous benefits of the Norwegian involvement in the Ukrainian project for both parties concerned.
By eliminating disability, we can build a stronger and fairer society. By supporting science in a remote country, we all can reap the rewards of its achievements. The Norwegian-Ukrainian scientific synergy is a textbook example of a perfect partnership for the future. The European Union, proud of its grand strategies, forward-thinking and solidarity, should follow suit or risk being put to shame by a country of a few million people.
Likewise, in terms of CP research and treatment, Western Europe proves to be light years behind Ukraine. Professor Herbertus von Voss from Germany (Private Institute for Social Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Rehabilitation INSOPA) was quick to point out that all known methods of CP treatment came from the East — not West — of Europe. Still, in Western Europe there’s an irrational resistance to all things East-European, to the detriment of CP patients themselves, who are made to undergo traditional therapies hardly ever yielding any results. Unless the Europeans stop perpetuating the unfounded “us versus them” stereotypes, CP patients west of Poland will continue to suffer instead of living normal lives.
And live normal lives they can, as it was proved by the first-hand testimonies of Professor Koziavkin’s patients and their parents who attended the conference. Amidst the loud applause a six-year old boy from the Netherlands named Sytze happily demonstrated his walking skills. Born prematurely, still as a baby he was diagnosed with acute cerebral palsy and given little hope for recovery. To the utter disbelief of his former doctors, Sytze made stunning progress thanks to the seven treatments he received at the Truskavets-based International Clinic of Rehabilitation.
A similar success story was presented by another Koziavkin patient, twenty-year-old Benjamin Ramp from Germany. A regular visitor to the Truskavets centre for the past 16 years, he is proud to live an independent life. Thanks to the treatment received at the Ukrainian clinic, he regained his seemingly lost future. Listening to his plans of becoming a grammar school teacher, one could not fail to admire his strength and determination. All those present loudly applauded his success — the “them-us” opposition all but disappeared.
I could not agree more with John Bowis from the European Parliament Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and a rapporteur on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare — disability is not THEM, it’s US. After all, we all live with a disability of some kind. If you are born with cerebral palsy, you have to face many challenges, but these can be overcome. A much more dangerous condition is indifference and lack of the will to change things. The European Parliament and European people can make a real difference in improving the quality of life of the disabled and building a fairer and more equitable society. All it takes is to reach beyond the confines of prejudice and inertia. Cerebral palsy patients should have a voice and be heard. And we are to listen.
