T
he location for the Centre for Medical-Social Rehabilitation of Disabled Children on Rokossovsky Street in Chernihiv was opened one year ago today. The impossible dream was brought about by Drs. Vasiliy Pasechnik, Anna Yakubova and Natalya Zenchenko with the help of aid from the United States of America, Great Britain and Belgium.- Photo of Ambassador Roy Reeve along with attach as he
just cuts ribbon
- Photo of Dr. Vasiliy Pasechnik giving address at June
19, 1996 dedication
- Photo of reception at last year's dedication (Dr.
Pasechnik and Mr. Reeve)
The British Ambassador Mr. Roy Reeve has taken a keen interest in the Centre and was present today for the anniversary accompanied by a very competent and attentive Elena,
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his translator and assistant. He arrived at the Centre nearly an hour early because the police had roller-coastered him at great speed from Kiev. The streets along his route in Chernihiv had been washed and police stood on each corner. Traffic lights were switched off so that his cavalcade could sweep in without stopping for a moment. This is Ukrainian-style, not the Ambassador's style.
The seventy or so visitors gathered for a tour of the departments of the Centre--disabled children were having physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, psychological assessment, investigations and play, some of the children we recognized and greeted
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especially Vitaly who had been radiated in his mother's womb one mile from Chernobyl. There were government officials, those from the local hospital, doctors and many others in the tour which was followed by a press conference, a buffet and presentation including on the spot presentations by Victor and myself. I shall always be grateful for public speaking training. The Belgian representatives of Recht op Toekomst or Right to the Future were Jack Vandernbroeke, Sabina Floreal and Ingrid Vanmassenhove and who contributed one of the hydrotherapy pools and gave direct donations. The present problem for the centre is that it is designed for 30 children to attend each day but 48 are present.
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Expansion is an urgent necessity and part of an adjacent nursery has been acquired. The number of victims of Chernobyl is large and is probably unknown.
I described the Centre as Phoenix rising from the ashes and that their problem is a problem of all humankind.
Dr. Victor Petrovich Hirin, head of neurology, described how the neurology division in Chernihiv had opened two years ago to deal with more difficult problems from other areas. He reminded his audience that it was both body and mind which required healing and that it was his purpose to make children into people who would contribute to their society.
Dr. Yuri Ivanovich Boyko, director medical services in Chernihiv said that during the first year problems had become crystallized, problems which are so enormous. It was not only the
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children who needed help, but the whole family. The number of children affected is very great and he stressed that expansion was urgently needed. The Centre was needed and popular because its product was valuable.
Nina Rogerson, a Ukrainian married to an Englishman living in Bolton received a bouquet of flowers for being just wonderful. She had done much to launch the Centre, but she said she knew her limitations and would like others to continue, all eyes on Victor and me.
Dr. Vasily Pasechnik, head and founder of the Centre, said that the Chernihiv oblast or county was the second largest in area in Ukraine. The children were widely distributed in farming communities. Because Chernihiv was 68 km from Chernobyl, it was not considered at first to be in danger, but the whole zone was radioactive mostly with radioactive iodine affecting children and young women. The first cancer of the thyroid in a child appeared in 1989.
Then everyone talked and mingled.
A formal luncheon was held at the Graditsh restaurant and thirteen were guests of the government. A table 30 yards long and up to eight feet wide was beautifully laid in a large panelled room with carpets on the walls. The Ukrainians have a technique for breaking what could otherwise be a subdued atmosphere around such a huge table and that is by repeated circulating toasts of Odessa champagne and Vodka (not mixed). The toasts started immediately while silent invisible waitresses refilled the glasses.
Oleg Belousov, vice mayor of Chernihiv started with a welcoming toast to the Ambassador who was presented with a guitar.
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The mayor was not able to be present because his wife had just died and the funeral was going to be on Monday. Guitars and pianos are a specialty of Chernihiv. The Ambassador explained that although he was a drummer, he appreciated the guitar. Due to one guest, not resident in Ukraine, the toasts suddenly because embarrassingly political, but the situation was skillfully defused by Dr. Pasechnik who revealed brilliant Slavic diplomacy before the Ambassador and guests.
Then Mikola Synkovitch, head administrator of the Desnansky region changed the atmosphere from tension to hilarious laughter and applause with the Gusari regiment's military manner of toasting the ladies present. It has to be seen to be appreciated but essentially it is a reversed toast behind the arm without spilling a drop, the secret being to hold the glass by its base and not the stem. Even a toast has its place in making peace.
- Maurice Frohn and Victor Kubik by EEG machine
(electro-encephalogram) we shipped on last container shipment
- From left to right: Victor Kubik, Natalya Zenchenko,
Anna Yakubova, Vasily Pasechnik
- Hydrotherapy at Revival Centre
- Belgian humanitarian workers who also came
Dr. Yuri Boyko rose to say that we were united by a problem of humankind. We may pretend to each other, but we cannot pretend about our children.
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Dr. Natalya Zenchenko spoke so gently directing our thoughts to all children who live near a nuclear power plant anywhere in the world.
Dr. Anna Yakubova, director of Polyclinic No. 2 delivered a moving toast with tears on the one goal that unites all present -- the children of Chernobyl.
The head of the department of education of the city of Chernihiv congratulated the staff of the Centre for treating 400 children during the first year.
Victor Kubik rose to declare that the Centre was a model for others to copy. Although we were from different parts of the world and from various cultures, our common goal was so strong that our endeavors would succeed.
Alexander Pronichov, mayor of a district of Chernihiv gave a brief history of Chernihiv where the monuments go back to the Mongolian period. He toasted all the helpers and workers in the Centre and hoped that we would all be friends for a long long time.
Mikola Synkovitch appealed for medical specialists to visit their institutions to both learn from their nuclear experience and to contribute their knowledge and aid. More contact was desired.
Dr. Vasily Pasechnik expressed his thanks to the administrators of the departments of health and education for their help and thanked the Ambassador for his support. It is the willing heart that does everything and revolutionary things are being done in Chernihiv.
Finally, the British Ambassador, Mr. Roy Reeve rose to speak. "I have a small confession to make. The Embassy has a small staff in this large country with which to help with what is a world catastrophe. The British Government will support the Centre and we will establish friendships in Chernihiv which will be repeatedly visited. A toast to the people of Chernihiv and to closer links between our two countries."
The gathering slowly dispersed, the Ambassador into his chauffered Rover
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preceded by police cars at top speed through the switched off traffic lights.
Much can be achieved through the Slavic style of toasting. Ideas and feelings are expressed which would not otherwise be revealed, it is a subtle Committee meeting through an alcoholic haze. Despite the haze everyone knows exactly what they are doing and objectives are achieved surprisingly smoothly.
Maurice and Victor