Irina is a blond petite girl who is often smiling, although she’s not had the easiest life to date.
Born in Oradea, she was abandoned by her parents at birth. In 5th grade she was transferred to the orphanage in Beius. She went to trade school where she learnt to be a seamstress and then at 16 years old she got hired in a textile factory in Beius. However, she didn’t have a home and slept wherever she could. Some nights she would sleep on park benches, other nights in bars, other nights on abandoned worksites and other nights in the hospital. Basically she would go to sleep for the night, wherever she could. It was really difficult as she also had to go to work. One day, she was accidentally injured on the sports ground by the river where she used to sleep. Her right hand was broken which later led to a hematoma.
Since she wasn’t eating much and was staying in the cold, her injury was healing with difficulty. After complications in the healing process, Irina’s hand had to be operated on twice in December 2003. Even though she was appreciated by her boss, her right hand was affected in such a way that she was no longer able to continue working as a seamstress.
Living on the streets, her illness was aggravated and other health problems appeared: ulcer, peritonitis and osteoporosis. Being chronically ill, with no place to stay and no income was a scary situation for Irina. During this time, Good Samaritan found out about her medical problems and accepted her into the program and for several years in a row started looking after her medical problems, offering her shelter and securing a sponsorship for her everyday needs.
She underwent lots of tests and analyses at hospitals in Cluj and Oradea, including consultations with various specialists - orthopedists, neurologists, neuro-surgeons, MRI specialists, etc. She was diagnosed with “right hand neuroalgo-dystrophy, paralysis of brachial plexus” (she doesn’t have complete feeling from the elbow down and the hand is deviated from its normal physiological position). This resulted in Irina undergoing a further 2 operations to her hand in Oradea and Cluj. All of this led to her receiving a sickness pension, at last ensuring a small but stable income.
In 2009, Good Samaritan initiated a project as a major donor in partnership with Habitat pentru Umanitate. This resulted in Irina receiving a house which she could call “home” and which gave her the safety which she was in need of.
However her health problems didn’t end here, with her developing complications with intestinal obstructions and a serious peritoneal disease meaning that large cysts are forming continuously.
In July and October 2012, Irina had a further 2 operations at the hospital in Oradea after she had intestinal obstructions. Since then her abdominal problems have persisted and she has been under the constant supervision of doctors Marius Sfarlea (surgeon at Pelican Hospital, Oradea) and Monica Halbac (surgeon at Beius Hospital).
Currently, Irina continues with investigations to find the source of the problem. After doctor recommendations, another larger operation is most likely needed to remove cysts which are putting Irina’s health at even greater risk. It is hoped that this operation will also find out the source of these cysts.
Since doctors cannot promise this would be the last operation, Irina will need financial support for the long term. Her income of just 580 lei (approx. $ 140 USD), doesn’t enable her to cover the costs of medical tests, ultrasounds, investigations, operations and medicine. This is why Good Samaritan is calling on all those who know Irina, or those who support the organization to contribute to the medical program from which Irina will benefit. The total cost of Irina’s treatment for a year is $ 5550 USD.
You can make a donation, quickly and easily using Paypal or by bank transfer into the association’s account in USD - RO29RNCB0034021802850003, BCR Beius.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@goodsamaritan.ro should you have any questions.