HOPE & AID DIRECT
UK Charity Registration Number 1077146

VOJO'S STORY

Vojo has the most dreadful medical condition known as Epidermolysis Bullosa. His skin is covered in blisters and sores, and his pain is constant. Most of his body is bandaged, and his dressings have to be changed every two days in winter, and every day in the summer, a process which takes 3 hours every time…yet he never complains!

Vojo Despic  Update

Charles Storer and his wife, Bev, went to visit Vojo with his new family in Italy in January 2005 and again in August 2007 having an amazing time on both occasions!

Vojo has been exceptionally lucky to have found such a loving, fun and welcoming family, by the time we left we felt that we had known them for years and do hope that we can return some of the hospitality if they ever visit the UK….. Which we hope they will! Following Vojo's adoption from Gornja Bistra, Croatia just over a year ago Charles and I have been anxious to see him again and we could not have wished for it to be any better.

Vojo is now ten years old and lives in a gorgeous 'tiny tiny' village in the Frascati region of Italy in a town, which is twinned with Gornja Bistra. He lives with a great family - Elena, Loredana and Laura in a great house with sofas - which he was very excited about as he had never seen sofas before. He has a great network of friends and everyone at the village certainly seem to adore him too!

He now attends a local school and is fluent in Italian and tried to teach us to count (we are still learning!)… Luckily for us Loredana and Laura speak great English!!! Vojo is excelling at school and has some great new friends. His condition (Epidermolysis Bullosa) looks to have improved with the loving attention that he receives and excellent medication which available. Charles and I were very honoured to be there with Elena, Lory and Laura changed his bandages, a ritual that they endure every other day, taking approximately three hours. Voja was just amazing and an extremely brave boy.

Elena, Lory and Laura met Vojo when they went to volunteer at Gornja Bistra hospital with the local charitable organisation "The Blue Roses Garden" (for more information please visit their website: www.volincontro.org They are an amazing group of volunteers who help children both in Italy and regularly visit Gornja Bistra to assist and spend time with the children there. Vojo is hoping to return with them next year for a holiday and to visit his friends. His friend and caring nurse, Borka, has been to see him from Croatia and phones regularly to see how he is.

Please see the following photos that show Vojo in his new surroundings and I think you'll agree, he certainly seems to be having a ball in Italy!!!

Please click here to read how this heart-warming story began.

What causes it?
Epidermolysis Bullosa is an inherited condition caused by  deficiencies in the chemicals that normally help to cement the layers of skin together.

What is the treatment?
There is no known cure for EB. Treatment involves reducing friction and injury, and preventing or treating infection of blisters to reduce chronic damage.
Treatments to reduce scarring and prevent contractures, and to help maintain nutrition when the mouth or oesophagus is affected, are also important.