Natasha’s Story, told by mum, Lou.
Posted on 4th Oct 2018
At 20 weeks of pregnancy, Ljubica and Josh learnt that their twin girls had Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Their placenta was not shared equally, and baby Natasha wasn’t receiving nourishment. Immediate surgery was conducted but as a side effect, Natasha had a stroke. Ljubica tells the story.
“At 30 weeks I was given the option of terminating my pregnancy. I said No! We saw a neurologist and he painted the picture of what Natasha’s disability would look like.
Today Natasha is a happy, sensitive and loving 8-year-old girl. She lives with Cerebral Palsy which affects the right side of her body, but she keeps up with her twin sister Natalia.
Natasha and Natalia like getting up to mischief, they bounce off each other! Natasha follows her sister’s lead and they support each other in just about everything they do. When they are apart they also really miss each other.
We live near the Botanical Gardens in Picton which has a lovely, big bike track where many kids and families ride together.
Josh would take our eldest daughter Lily and Natalia for rides through the park. Because of her disability Natasha couldn’t steer or grip the handlebars of a standard bike and she always missed out on this activity.
We just wanted her to feel that breeze, you know what I mean? That freedom of riding a bike!
Back in May Natasha’s therapist referred us to Freedom Wheels. We came to an assessment and Natasha was fitted for a special bike that met her needs.
Natasha was so happy that day, it was the first time she could ride independently!
After the assessment, Natasha kept asking us, “When am I going to get a bike, when am I going to get it?” I just had to keep saying soon but we couldn’t access funding through NDIS.
The good news is thanks to Spring Cycle donors and fundraisers Natasha now has her Freedom Wheels bike. It was so good to see her riding with her sisters, I was in tears.
Now her life will change! Natasha will be able to join in! This will help her to bond with her sisters and feel included, especially with dad. Natasha is very much a daddy’s girl.
The bike has made Natasha so happy she feels really special, and I am so grateful because without the help from Spring Cycle we would still be waiting,” said Ljubica.
Now Natasha is looking forward to riding her Freedom Wheels bike over the Harbour Bridge with dad Josh, twin sister Natalia and big sister Lily for Spring Cycle.
