Making a Blind Boy’s Dream Come True

Olga’s son Ivan was only 6 months old when she noticed there was something wrong with his eyes. The next two years became extremely difficult for the family.

Olga tells the story. Ivan was diagnosed with cancer of the retina in both eyes. Chemo did not help. Doctors said it was necessary to remove both eyes to save his life.

With medical challenges ahead, the family decided to move to Israel from Ukraine so he would have a better future. Olga says, “I just wanted my child to see. Here in Israel they made him prosthetic eyes, and I realized the miracle of God was that Ivan is alive. He is active, he is happy. He is like an ordinary child. We go to the playground, he is in daycare, and people often can’t believe that he has no eyes.” 

Olga’s husband works to support the family, and Olga stays home to take care of Ivan and his little sister. They live near the Lebanese border, and now the latest escalation due to war has made their financial situation difficult. “We were thinking about buying special furniture to accommodate for Ivan’s limitations, but because of the war, we did not know if we could afford it. My husband doesn’t make a lot of money, but we needed furniture that wouldn’t hurt Ivan if he bumped into it.”

That’s when Olga’s social worker reached out to CBN Israel for help. And thanks to you CBN Israel provided furniture, and another special request. “I noticed that when we’d go to church, Ivan would really like worship. He would hold onto the piano to feel the music. I understood that he needed to develop this gift.  but we just couldn’t afford it.”

Olga happily shares, “This gift is a miracle for our family, especially for Ivan. So much emotion when he received it. I have never seen him so emotional in all his life. He was so happy that this was his piano, he hugged it so much, and it was just amazing.”

Ivan is now practicing the piano at home and continuing to learn to cope without sight in a safely furnished apartment. “The help you provided was a miracle from God. And it’s like a good seed that will grow someday. I see how Ivan loves to worship, how he dances, how he sings. He will praise God on this instrument. You’ve made my son’s dream come true. I thank God for everyone who participated in making this happen, it is priceless.”