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Project Orphan Outreach continues to help 2 Russians with prosthetics
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Teresa Masters, a prosthetist at Advanced Anatomical Designs in Canfield, looks at the prostheses of Nicholai “Kolya” Denykin, who was fitted in 2010 with the artificial legs. Kolya needs new prosthetic knees that cost $2,000 and new liners, which cost $1,000. Kolya is from a Russian orphanage and is being helped by Project Orphan Outreach. A fundraiser is planned Friday at Western Reserve United Methodist Church in Canfield.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
canfield
Nicholai “Kolya” Denykin used duct tape as a temporary fix on the prosthetic for his left limb until an adjustment could be made.
Getting to Advanced Anatomical Design took about 11 hours and covered nearly 5,000 miles.
Kolya, 14, and his traveling companion, Vlad Makarov, 24, made the trip from Russia and arrived in the United States Thursday for a two-week stay.
Both have right and left leg prostheses that need adjustments costing $9,100.
A fundraiser spaghetti dinner is planned Friday at Western Reserve United Methodist Church to help pay for them.
Kolya and Makarov are helped through Project Orphan Outreach, formerly To Russia with Love, led by the Rev. Kathryn Adams, who took 22 mission team trips to Russian orphanages starting in 1996.
The Valley minister met Makarov and Kolya at Renewal Orphanage in Dimitrov, Russia, in 2006. Makarov came to America in 2008 when when he was 17 to be fitted with prosthetics by Craig Svader of AAD. Kolya did the same in 2010 when he was 10.
The technology proved to be life-changing for the two who had used wheelchairs and crude prosthetics.
Makarov, who is now living on his own, graduated from Moscow State College, where he studied information technology and has worked in the computer field. He plays on the Russian Paralympics curling team.
Nelya Stefanides, a friend of Mrs. Adams, originally from Uzbekistan, now an American citizen, serves as translator.
On Sept. 12, Makarov and Koyla met with Teresa Masters, a prosthetist at AAD, so she could assess their prostheses. She said she looks at knee function and wear and tear.
After seeing the duct tape on Koyla’s prosthetic, she commented, “You do what you have to do.”
She said Koyla’s prostheses show the wear of someone who has a “high-activity level.”
The technology comes at a price.
When Makarov and Kolya were fitted by Svader, the cost of each prosthetic leg was about $10,000. Svader donated time, expertise and materials to the project.
Kolya’s pelite (a type of foam) liner was designed to accommodate growth of the teen. Masters said the liner holds the residual limb (stump) in place and a sock, which goes over the liner, helps in “volume management” to fill out the prosthetic.
The liner, which helps provide a comfortable fit, goes into the socket made of a laminated carbon fiber.
Through Stefanides, Kolya told Masters he was having trouble going from sitting to standing and standing to sitting.
Masters said Kolya has “been rough on the pediatric knee and needs something more durable.”
Kolya is getting two new prosthetic knees at a cost of $2,000. He also needs new liners, which cost $1,000, and socks, which are $100.
Makarov will get new customized sockets for both limbs at a cost of $5,000 and liners, which are $1,000.
Masters said 3-D imaging of Markarov’s limbs create precise sockets.
For Makarov and Kolya, help has come from various sources.
The Rev. Mrs. Adams said $2,500 airfare for the two from Russia to America was provided by Sergei and Ksenia Gonchar. He is a professional hockey player with the Dallas Stars, who previously was with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Mrs. Adams said the Gonchars learned about Project Orphan Outreach and offered to help.
Mrs. Adams said the two also receive free dental care from Dr. Pamela Barkett.
A few years ago, Makarov also had free oral surgery by Dr. Mark Billy at Mill Creek Oral Surgery Associates in Austintown to remove his wisdom teeth.
Mrs. Adams said she appreciates the generosity of people in the Valley.
Mrs. Adams said various recreational activities are planned including a visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo and a Youngstown State University football game.