Humanitarian Foundation BUDI HUMAN - Aleksandar Šapić

raises funds for Danica Petković (2012).

Danica was born in term, after a properly maintained pregnancy, in 2012 in Niš. Due to a difficult birth, aspiration of amniotic fluid, she was in severe respiratory distress that required intubation. After stabilization, she was transferred to a higher-ranking institution in the University Children’s hospital in Belgrade, to the neonatology department for the purpose of examining and monitoring the congenital malformation of the posterior cranial fossa.

With only 26 days, she was surgically treated (cortical cerebral hypoplasia, occipital encephalocele). Six months later, she was diagnosed with a malformation of the extrahepatic bile ducts and the gallbladder was surgically removed.

Genetic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of Joubert syndrome (a genetic disorder in which the area of ​​the brain that controls balance and coordination is underdeveloped). She was also diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

She has been exercising since she was eight months old. For the first three years, she refused to work with therapists in institutions and during doctors’ visits because she was exposed to painful and traumatic hospital procedures every day, so she accepted exercises exclusively at home in her familiar environment with her mother.

Danica was late with her development from the beginning, but with regular medical supervision she was somewhat stable, until she was five years old when she was diagnosed with ESES (electrophysiological status in slow-wave sleep) and has been taking corticosteroid therapy ever since. As a consequence of the therapy, there was a decline in the immunity which caused frequent inflammations and infections of the lungs, sepsis and recurrent distress syndrome (ARDS), where she was intubated again.

Danica is a great fighter and she struggles every day with the difficulties she has. She is still not able to sit, walk and talk. She needs further treatment, which includes intensive physical therapies, speech therapy, somatopedical treatments, work with an oligo phrenologist, occupational therapist, hydrotherapy, sensory stimulation, personal assistant, orthopedic aids, supplements, laboratory analyzes. She needs funds for specialist examinations and diagnostics, for travelling and accommodation costs.

Her  parents ask all generous and humane people to help, as much as they can and make Danica's long and painful struggle easier.

For Danica's better future! Let's be humane!

Let's help Danica!