Dear Editor,

It is a pleasure contacting you in relation to a personal issue which has also societal and international perspectives.

I am a Greek mother of a 25 years old quadriplegic boy. During the last ten years, after he had an accident that has hold him down on a wheelchair, we have visited the best rehabilitation centers in Europe with the most well known doctors in order to rectify his condition.

Consequently, a great amount of money has been spent on consecutive treatments without result. The diagnosis from both the Europeans and the Americans scientists were totally disappointing. In a few words, they all advised us to forget about it. At that point, a Bulgarian friend of mine, Mr.Zaberski (a paraplegic person himself as a result of a car accident) has recommended me the rehabilitation centre Ivan Rilski and particularly the professor Mr.Bussarsky.

Indeed, during a short visit in your country I met the professor who accepted to take care of my son after examining his case carefully. In this framework, in December of 2005 me and my son moved to Sofia. Since we reached the airport, the responsibility and the interest with which they handled our problem was absolutely superb.

During our stay in Sofia, many diagnostic and medical actions were conducted and they actually managed to fix ten-years mistakes and negligence that not only they had deterred my son's progress but also they had put his life in jeopardy.

There, we had the chance to be informed of Dr. Chavdar Botev's research on treatments using stem cells and the astonishing results that were evident on many patients, including my Bulgarian friend.

For five months, I was researching the case discussing not only with Dr. Botev and his scientific team but also with the patients that were subjected to this treatment.

Dr. Botev's method is the most harmless and the one with, practically, not risk; the implanted cells are excellent elaborated, they are autologous and it is required a two hour session utmost in order to be implanted without any loss because they are implanted fresh, not frozen.

A few days before departing from Sofia and being quite optimistic about the quality of this particular method, I took the decision to accept Dr Botev's offer for a free trial for my son in order to improve his health situation and if he gains any progress to continue the treatment using the autologous stem cells on a permanent basis.

Although, it is too early to have visible results, my son has already improved his mobility at his nether limbs, he is more alert and the most important aspect is that the pupil of his eye that used to be dilated (because of the cerebral damage) it gets smaller every now and again at about 20-60%), there are some moments that it is quite similar to the other. Nevertheless, we are still at the beginning of the process.

Another vital point is Dr.Botev's approach towards my son. Despite the communication difficulties, he managed to encourage my son and convinced him that they should grapple with the problem and redeem the time.

I firmly believe that Europe must be very proud of Bulgaria's scientific achievements. Being in a transitional stage, Bulgaria is trying to find its place in the European Union context something that definitely deserves it. In this framework, this kind of progress should become more widely known and even attract European funding.

In your country apart from the respectful scientists, I had also encountered warm people always willing to help others. I have the strong feeling that Bulgaria has a huge potential for development and it can taught a lot of пїЅhumane' lessons to continental Europe. Even at this stage, Bulgaria could easily demonstrate to other Europeans that "civilization" and "humanity" are the two crucial values that Europe needs and has forgotten and the Bulgarian people know very well how to respect them.

I earnestly wish every prosperity and progress for the Bulgarian people. Last but not least, I would like to say "thank you Prof. Bussarsky and Dr.Chavdar Botev for the breath of life you gave us." "Thank you Bulgaria!"

Faithfully yours,
Anastasia Doriza,
Mother of Chris-Bill Kokkos
Member of Board of Greek Unesco Clubs and Centers Federation,
G. Secretary of Unesco Club for Culture of Peace
Athens
Greece

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