Help Rebeka to walk

Rebeka Petronis is curious about the world around her but at two-years-old she is yet to walk or talk.

She has global developmental delay – an umbrella term that medics use when children are behind cognitively and physically but has no official diagnosis yet.

Rebeka would benefit for some intensive therapies at a world-renowned centre in Slovakia but just two weeks there would cost £5,000.

Her parents, Ula Petronyte and Inga Drabuntaite, are being supported by charity Just4children who have set up a fundraising page for the toddler.

Ula, 34, told the Press: "She was born premature at 37 weeks but she was a perfectly healthy baby.

"It was when she about six months that she wasn't developing as quickly as other babies.

"She can't walk or talk and her fine motor skills are just not there.

"We go to an early years development centre in High Valleyfield and she has come on a little bit but she needs support all the time from us."

Ula and Inga take Rebeka constantly to a range of appointments such as physio and countless doctor appointments but, in the hope of getting additional therapies, applied for help from the Adeli Rehabilitation Centre in Slovakia.

The centre specialises in neurological disorders and delivers a highly-intensive programme for patients with hydro, pet and physical therapy, as well as balancing activities, speech and language development.

"Everything is packed into the two weeks," Ula explained. "We had to apply for a place and found out this week that she will be going in March.

"Improvements are seen in children that go but she'll probably need to go back in the future.

"We just take every step little by little; it can be hard but we have to try and give her the best opportunities we can."

Speaking on Rebeka's everyday challenges, Ula added: "It can be quite frustrating at times, especially as she can't speak – it can be hard to work out what she wants.

"Rebeka's had lots of tests but there is no diagnosis so we really don't know what to expect or what will happen in the future.

"That can be hard in itself so we're grateful for Just4children who have been a great help as we've reached out for support.

"The early development centre has also been fantastic with Rebeka as she needs one-to-one care.

"At first, she wouldn't let us go but she loves the staff there now.

"We also have very generous friends and family around us who are helping us fundraise.

"Daily life can be hard and upsetting but we are trying to cope the best we can."

Donate at https://just4children.org/children-helped2018/help-rebeka-to-walk/ or a text can be sent REBE71 £5 to number 70070.