Critically Injured Ukrainian Orphan Making Progress At Boston Hospital
BOSTON (CBS) – A Ukrainian orphan who was critically injured in an accident is getting a second chance thanks to doctors and nurses at a Boston hospital.
Ihor Lakatosh is achieving new independence with help from the medical staff at Shriners Hospital for Children.
When a non-profit group brought him to the U.S., the then eight-year-old was unable to walk and his arm was fused to his chest after suffering burns on about 30 percent of his body.
He weighed less than 30 pounds.
"Ihor came here a happy child but he was incredibly limited functionally because of his burns," said Dr. Daniel Driscoll. "He had three of his extremities completely unable to move."
Ihor returned to Ukraine after the first round of surgeries and then came back to Boston early this year for more procedures.
"We did several other operations to allow his knees to work," Dr. Driscoll said.
"Looking at him where he was two years ago and now, the really independent person he is, it's amazing. It's amazing," said Occupational Therapist Katherine Hartigan.
Ihor, now 11, knows he's making tremendous progress
"Thank you I can walk. Thank you I can walk. Thank you Lord, I can walk," Ihor said through an interpreter. "I can do everything now, I can go to school."
Ihor came to Boston through an organization called Doctors Collaborating to Help Children. It gives children who are burned around the world a chance at quality care.
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