Message from Alexandra:

My name is Alexandra, I’m 52 years old. For nearly 20 years, I’ve been living with a locomotor disability and have been officially classified as a person with second-degree disability.

In 2005, when I was 33 and expecting my second child, my life changed forever. I was diagnosed with an intramedullary spinal cord tumor (cancer) located at vertebrae Th11–Th12. Because of the pregnancy, no treatment or surgery was possible.

The back pain was unbearable. I would lose consciousness and collapse. I spent the entire pregnancy hospitalized, under constant medical supervision. After giving birth, further examinations confirmed the worst — the episodes continued, and the risk of complete paralysis in both legs kept growing.

On January 3, 2006, I underwent surgery that lasted 8 hours and 45 minutes. This surgery saved my life. My premature baby survived, but I was left bedridden, paralyzed from the waist down — with both legs immobile.

Afterwards came radiation therapy, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. My left leg recovered about 90%, but the right one only 10%.

For nearly 20 years, I’ve learned to live with only one functional leg. I’ve continued working as a teacher in a public institution. I endured strange looks, uncomfortable questions, and even humiliation — but I held on. I never asked anyone for help. I raised and educated two children and dedicated myself to hundreds of students.

All this time, I followed doctors’ advice and went through rehabilitation at my own expense. I avoided medications due to the high risk of cancer recurrence.

But my right leg became badly deformed — the muscles are atrophied, the nerve is no longer active, and the knee joint is completely destroyed. When I walk, the leg moves uncontrollably — to the side, backward, forward. The ligaments are overstretched and could rupture at any time.

Now, my condition has worsened. The right leg is entirely unstable. The destroyed joint, lack of muscle control, and a dead nerve make every step painful and unsafe.

After consulting with specialists, I was denied surgery. The doctor told me plainly: the only solution is a custom-made orthopedic brace, designed for both day and night use.

I went to the Ortolife clinic in Chișinău, but I was devastated by the cost: 16,831.40 MDL for both the day and night braces.

I work in the public sector, with a modest salary and a disability pension. My husband is also a pensioner working in the public system. Our daughter is a third-year medical student at USMF Testemițanu, studying on a state-funded place. We simply cannot afford this.

That’s why, with all my hope, I am asking for your help.
Any contribution — no matter how small — brings me closer to being able to walk again with more stability, more safety, and less pain.

I have all the necessary medical records and documentation confirming my diagnosis and the recommendation for a leg brace.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, encouragement, and solidarity.