The gentle giant catches a big fish
14/07/2008
Following the physical abuse that Milen suffered at Mogilino Institute he was moved to a new home several hundred miles away. Our colleague Maria, visited him recently to find out how he is coping in his new surroundings.
Milen has recently had an operation to improve the cleft palate he has suffered with since birth. It would have been preferable for him to have had this operation years ago - in early childhood. He has made a good recovery and despite losing a little weight due to the post operative liquid diet, he was in good spirits. He will still need a follow up operation next year plus considerable dental work before he is fully fit again.
He instantly recognised Maria as she was present at Mogilino during the filming of Kate Blewett's documentary. He immediately took Maria's hand and opened his mouth to show her he had had an operation. Milen has also managed to say his first word, albeit in a tiny voice. Poignantly, the word was 'Mama'. Milen is one of the rare children in social care who is a genuine orphan. Over 98% of children in Bulgaria's institutions have a living parent.
He recently took part in a fishing competition and won an award for catching the biggest fish. Milen lives at the new protected home with his good friend Misho and both boys attend a new day care centre which is used by children in social care and local disabled children living with their parents. The centre has a special needs teacher, and a psychologist but they need a full time physiotherapist urgently. They would also like to have volunteer occupational therapists visit the centre and help train the staff and care workers.
Any physiotherapists or occupational therapists interested in volunteering their time for this placement or others should please get in touch with our volunteer organiser, Sophie Stewart by email: sophie@tbact.org.uk
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Milen has lost weight since his operation but he is making a good recovery - even winning a local fishing competitiion.
Misho and Milen were sent from Mogilino to a new protected home last year after suffering physical abuse by one of their carers.
Both Milen and Misho are learbing independant living skills in their new protected home and attend a local day care centre daily.