Swing, swim, jump, play in the rain, fly a kite… seem so obvious, complex childhood activities that bring joy to the little ones and dwell in the dreams of every parent, relative.
However, for many of these families, dreams fall apart, knowing that a baby is affected by a serious illness.
In Latvia, the dream of a sunny childhood for over 600 families has disappeared, but instead they have been able to find countless small and big DREAM BRIDGES to LIVE EVERY DAY.
Inspired by these children, we the Children’s Palliative Care Society have begun to create a multifunctional care center “Dream Bridges” to provide a happy, high-quality and full life to incurably ill children and their families.
The world-famous Precious Baby Project artist, Angela Forker (USA), is one of our great supporters for building this center. At the end of May 2019 – in early June, the artist visited Latvia to photograph 10 families with incurable children. Show that every baby is beautiful, loved, see the message she brings to this world – that is Angela’s message through these works of art.
What characterizes the essence of Gusts? He is a fighter from the first day.
What serves for a strength source to the family? He is our energy source. Even if we don’t do many things, these small emotions, sounds which he does, make us happy.
A wish / knowledge that you want to pass to others? It is hard to be a parent of a child with special needs but it cannot break us, we need to be strong and happy for our littles. We appreciate every second because we don’t know how much time we have. Let kids to be a sun in rainy day, a rainbow in cloudy day.
Tell about a dream you wish to come true? Our dream is that Gusts could walk, ride or play with us, that he could sing, talk to us. The greatest dream is that he could swallow saliva on his own. We think that this is also his greatest dream.
What makes you happy every day? Our little Gusts gives us joy. In moments when it is really hard, he makes us happy with a facial expression or sound.
What characterizes the essence of Amelija? Little fighter, a child of millenium with large blue eyes and a huge strength and endurance.
Very patient and serious girl.
What serves for a strength source to the family? One of Amelija’s charming smiles is enough for us to forget all problems and difficulties.
A wish / knowledge that you want to pass to others? We are happy family with the expected and beloved child. We are the same as You: healthy people, without addictions and congenital diseases and pathologies but unfortunately no one is protected from such situations. Our child is not a victim, nor we – as parents.
Tell about a dream you wish to come true? Our family’s dream now is to relax together, as we were separated for many months, near the sea.
What makes you happy every day? Every day, we enjoy being together, walking and a cup of delicious coffee in the mornings.
What characterizes the essence of Sofija? Sofija’s nickname is “Tummy” because long after a birth she had a big tummy like an inflated balloon.
She likes senses or sounds when we kiss cheeks, these are moments when she manages to smile gently with holes and a wide mouth. She has beautiful, thin, long hair, that even braids can be braided.
What serves for a strength source to the family? Mutual understanding, compassion, joy, PEACE AND LOVE.
Tell about a dream you wish to come true? To discover a world.
We are big family, hope to realize the greatest dream – to build a house, where to install their own corner for everyone. There will be a large area, garden, swimming place and horse stable. Riding with horses would be very useful to Sofija’s development. Who knows, maybe she will become a great horse rider. 😊
What makes you happy every day? Be loving to each other. Nature. Fulfilment of wishes.
A wish / knowledge that you want to pass to others? Not to lose a joy of life.
To remember, no matter what and how would do, the boomerang effect works in life.
What characterizes the essence of Lāsma? Seems, she is a very ethereal girl because in my dreams I met her even before she applied to come on earth. Seems, for years we have been making a connection so that she could find the right way and the right moment.
What serves for a strength source to the family? Everyday, the ability to enjoy all small achievements serves as a strength source. The joy that this baby is born, not just looking of what the diagnoses are.
Tell about a dream you wish to come true? Our dream would be to live in the countryside.
What makes you happy every day? Every day, the joy is given by music – Mocart’s violin concerts and walks with the baby in the fresh air.
A wish / knowledge that you want to pass to others? I would advice others not to identify themselves with problems, because for children it is a life. Parents are just to help, teach different things, support a child. Believe in your child and miracles! There is no a greater miracle in the world that a birth of new life. I believe that all is achievable and also wishes come true, you just need to formulate a thought correctly. Every dream without acting is just a wish.
What characterizes the essence of Saverio? Saverio is very emotional, likes classical music to which he responds with a smile. He loves sounds of water, really likes to be near a dad and mother.
What serves for a strength source to the family? Support which we give and receive from each other.
A wish / knowledge that you want to pass to others? Not to accept a fatal destiny expressed by various physicians because a situation can change and our child affirms it. It is important to believe that always will be better.
Tell about a dream you wish to come true? Our greatest dream is that someday Saverio will also start walking. The second dream is to go to Disneyland all together.
What makes you happy every day? We all are very happy if Saverio is feeling well.
What characterizes the essence of Patriks? Patriks, distinctly, is characterized by tremendous positivism and strong, clean energy. He is full of love and light, and is ready to embrace the whole world.
What serves for a strength source to the family? Strength is given by that Patriks grows, develops and constantly surprises with something new. He has taught us to enjoy every moment and to appreciate the positive trifles of everyday. These trifles also make a happiness, give a strength and a sense of everything. Both children have an ability to charge positively even in gray or hard days.
A wish / knowledge that you want to pass to others? I wish others to see, hear, understand, accept and smile a lot 😊
Tell about a dream you wish to come true? One of the largest dreams – to be realized faster the artificial kidney project that would be safe also for small children.
What makes you happy every day? The sun, nature, walking in the fresh air with the family and dogs, good books.
What characterizes the essence of Martins? Martins through emotions can answer to questions. He loves very much his family, likes to watch cartoons, listen music, jump on trampoline, swing, swim, go hiking, play football, ride a sled, dance.
What serves for a strength source to the family? Strength is given by positive view.
A wish / knowledge that you want to pass to others? We all wish the greatest value – the HEALTH. Because, if you have a health, also everything else will be.
Tell about a dream you wish to come true? A dream – that our children would be happy and healthy.
What makes you happy every day? We enjoy every minute of our life.
What characterizes the essence of Lillija? Lillija is cute, calm girl with beautiful hair.
What serves for a strength source to the family? Our family is strengthened by being together, watching cartoons and good movies, relaxing by the sea.
A wish / knowledge that you want to pass to others? A knowledge – when you have a special child, you see and understand the world more.
What characterizes the essence of Nikola and Vanesa? Nikola is like an angel who can gently caress with her eyes. Vanesa is like a sun who can warm with her smile.
What serves for a strength source to the family? Our family’s source is love.
A wish / knowledges that you want to pass to others? Our family’s wish to others – not to give up in hard moments of life.
Tell about a dream you wish to come true? Our family’s dream is that our both daughters could speak.
What makes you happy every day? Positive emotions and smile of Nikola and Vanesa give us joy everyday.
What characterizes the essence of Kristaps? Kristaps is a Sun’s child who brings a joy, happiness, unconditional love in the family. He is like a Professor to us because we try to understand, hear him, we feel like the students who still have a lot to learn. We are grateful that Kristaps is with us.
What serves for a strength source to the family? First, it is the family itself, that we all are together, that we have such a lovely child who gives us a strength to go and to do. A great source of strength is also people around who give support and each help to the best of their ability. My source of energy and strength is a given opportunity to be a mother. I find energy singing in a choir and being in nature, enjoying its magic, meditating. Dad likes to walk alone in the forest.
A wish / knowledge that you want to pass to others? Be strong! Be aware and appreciate what you been given. Be grateful for the child who has entered into your family. I am grateful for my cherishment, for having the child in our family, yes, of course, he needs more attention and care, but I am very happy, no matter how much strength and energy requires daily care. I wish every family to find what unites them and to be together, to be supportive in a more difficult moment.
Tell about a dream you wish to come true? Since the child was born and physicians have told what awaits us in the future. Our larger and smaller dreams are linked with the child. The largest dream is for the child to develop and be able to live a full life. However, to achieve the big dream, we dream that the son starts to roll, crawl, play with toys. Hear how he calls us mom and dad. A common family dream for Kristaps to have a brother or sister to spend time with.
What makes you happy every day?
Everyday enjoyment is to live in countryside where peace and calm are around, to listen birds’ songs. Every morning to wake up and be aware that we are parents and we have the son with us. Being with people you love. Being the family together.
Creating a multifunctional care center “Bridges of Dreams”, we hope to build dream bridges to happy, qualitative and full life despite the limitations of health, including:
You can support the establishment of the center by donating money online or sending money to the account of the Children Palliative Care Society:
AS “Swedbank”
Bank account: LV98HABA0551045652564
Children’s Palliative Care Society, Reg. No. 40008033071
