One child who has been helped through this project is Erika, a young girl with an orthopaedic problem.

F.R.O.D.O. was able to bring Erika to the UK for surgery and post-operative care. With the help of the hospital we were able to provide a pair of customized orthopaedic boots to help her walk more easily.

She has recovered well and is now a smiling, happy and more confident young person.

Letter from Erika:

My experience in London

I wish to start this story about all this experience saying about my feelings which I had when first heard of this opportunity to have an operation done in London. My first thoughts and feeling were apprehension and fear. I didn’t know how is going to be there for me and how everybody will look at me and for me, especially that I don’t speak English.

I meet Vanessa and Miss Eastwood once before in Constanta but I couldn’t say that I know them and I had no idea what is going to be. I was very scared and didn’t know if I should have that operation.

I can say that every fear and thoughts disappeared once I arrived to London. Everyone from FRODO and the doctors were very nice with me and welcome me with lots of warm thoughts. I had the feeling that FRODO is a family and they included me for a while in this family. They gave me confidence and help me to pass all obstacles.

Miss Eastwood was the doctor that I never meet in Romania. With no fear to talk to me and even touch me to see what is wrong with my legs. She is someone which listens to you and does her best to help as much as possible. I didn’t expect to have such a good welcome from her and to have so much help from her. The operation, the treatment and all the staff from the hospital were very good and everything went on good.

There were so many feeling for me that I can’t even describe all.
It was a real pleasure when I could talk in Spanish for a bit there at FRODO with someone who was a Spanish talking person.

I want to say to Vanessa that she is a very good lady and thanks her for all the help which came when I had no hope that something can happen to me.

If I would have the opportunity to have another operation I wouldn’t have hesitate to say yes because I know all the people from FRODO will do their best to help as they do to help all the children in my situation.

Thank you for all your help and I hope we will see each other soon.

Erika