A plea for help for injured student (05/21/06)

A plea for help for injured student

KYIV - "A year has passed since the last time I've asked for your assistance in saving the life of my son Oleh Bizyaev," wrote Alexandra Bizyaeva in a letter to supporters and friends. "More than a year ago he was found on the street with a severe open head wound."

Mr. Bizyaev was finishing his graduate studies at Boston College when on July 9, 2004, his skull was fractured from blunt head trauma caused by a severe beating. The honor student, who was in the United States thanks to a grant from the Soros Foundation, hails from Odesa.

Discovered unconscious, he was rushed to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, where he was diagnosed with severe brain trauma. This injury left him in a coma for three months, from which doctors believed he would never recover.

It was the opinion of several doctors that the family should disconnect Mr. Bizyaev from life support. Despite this, Mrs. Bizyaeva and her older son, Vadym, refused to give up hope. As a result of their undying belief, prayers and exercises they witnessed the awakening of the 28-year-old patient.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has helped us during this difficult time," wrote Mrs. Bizyaeva. "Three months later, my son came out of a coma, started speaking and regained his memory, including the knowledge of different languages. My other son, Vadym, and I spent the entire next year, in multiple hospitals in Boston helping Oleh to recuperate."

"In July of 2005 we came back to Kyiv, where Oleh is still undergoing various treatments," wrote his mother. "Fortunately, he's becoming more active and we are hoping that he will recover eventually ... His entire left side is still paralyzed. However, he's showing good reflexes. He still suffers from back and leg pain. Most importantly, all of these symptoms can be treated. Again, I'd like to thank everyone who made it possible for Oleh to recover to this point. However, I have to ask for your financial support again as we desperately need it for Oleh's recovery."

Anyone who would like to assist the Bizyaev family in coping with growing medical costs may send donations to: St. Andrew Church, Account No. 1052-1085, on behalf of Oleh Bizyaev, c/o Ukrainian Federal Credit Union, 107 Eastern Ave., Dedham, MA 02026.

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