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Excitement, fear and passionate hope for new life as brave Darina, 6, travels to London

By 0 and 0 and 0
25 June 2019

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When Darina was born as a late child, Elena admits she suffered an unbearable shock following a smooth pregnancy that suddenly resulted in a birth at 7 months. Picture: Valeria Sukhova

The Siberian Times met Darina and her mother Elena at the Moscow Domodedovo airport as the pair was nervously waiting for their flight to London. 

This will be the first trip abroad for Darina, who was born in the village of Gromadsk in Siberia’s Krasnoyarsk region. 

Six years ago her long-awaited arrival brought a lot of joy and pain into a loving family of Elena and Yuri Shpengler. 

The girl was born with only half a face. 

Darina’s trip and medical bills in the UK are covered by RusFond, one of Russia’s largest charity foundation.

The Siberian Times keep its GoFundMe campaign running for those of you who wishes to support Darina and her family.

For Russian donors, Darina’s mother Sberbank card number is 5484 3100 1026 0112. 

Darina on her way to UK


Darina on her way


Darina on her way to UK


Darina on her way to UK

This will be the first trip abroad for Darina, who was born in the village of Gromadsk in Siberia’s Krasnoyarsk region. Pictures: Valeria Sukhova

Darina’s chin and lips were missing - a condition preliminarily diagnosed as  Nager Syndrome, although even now there is no final diagnosis - and none of the Siberian doctors that assisted at her birth knew how to help the baby. 

The couple was sent back home where they were met with resentment from other family members, who couldn’t cope with Darina’s unusual appearance. 

The parents were left alone with the rest of her family cutting their communication. 

Darina arrived in UK

Darina's first picture in the UK by Elena Shpengler

Elena gave up her job to look after Darina, and with Yuri she fought a long and often very hard campaign for their daughter’s chance to receive appropriate medical help. 

‘I can’t say how much I am waiting to hear her voice, to hear her saying ‘Mama’. This will be the best melody in the world, to hear her speak’, said emotional Elena as she was preparing to board the flight to the UK. 

Eena and Darina


Eena and Darina


Elena and Darina

‘I can’t say how much I am waiting to hear her voice, to hear her saying ‘Mama’. Pictures: Valeria Sukhova

‘My every thought and hope is for the surgery to go well, because it would mean that Darina would be able to eat, and she’ll start gaining weight. 

‘She will start breathing better and hopefully will grow up, and won’t get sick as often as she does now.

‘She will start playing with other children because they won’t be scared of her.’ 

The Shpengler family went through years of treatment attempts in Siberia and Moscow, and endless consultations with top Russian medics. 

Their final word last year was that for a life-changing surgery Darina needed to gain over 13 kilograms of weight - a condition which she has been failing to meet due to problems with eating and illnesses. 

Her weight is currently 11.3 kilograms - akin to child aged one year even though she is now six.

Darina in UK visa centre


Shpengler family applying on UK visa

Darina and her parents pictured in Novosibirsk, while applying for UK visa. Pictures: The Siberian Times

The Siberian Times ran a story about Darina and received an overwhelming response from all over the world, which inspired us to start a fundraising campaign to help the family.  

Thanks to your support we were able to get Darina to Moscow, and found Russian experts who thoroughly studied the opportunities for Darina’s surgery in her own country.

They concluded that due to low weight she had to be operated abroad, and suggested one of the world most renowned craniofacial surgeons professor David Dunaway, head of the world famous Craniofacial Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London.

Dr David Dunway

Preliminary agreement to operate on Darina was received, but the surgical bill came to approximately £67,400 ($86,000) - which seemed far beyond reach.

But thankfully Darina’s story of her struggle to smile and live normally was chosen by one of Russia’s largest charity funds called RusFond which helped to gather the whole amount.

Darina is to see Dr Dunaway tomorrow, 26 June, for her first medical check up. 

‘Darina cannot express her feelings with words, but I can see that just like me she is excited to see the doctor’, said Elena, as she left for London. 

Fighting stigma: parents of girl born with half a face tell of their battle to help her


Fighting stigma: parents of girl born with half a face tell of their battle to help her


Fighting stigma: parents of girl born with half a face tell of their battle to help her

‘She will start playing with other children because they won’t be scared of her.’ Pictures: Victor Guseinov

‘Like any mother of a child with such a long illness history I am nervous of what tomorrow brings, but also I am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped us get this far. 

‘I never thought it would be possible to see an expert of the level of Professor Dunaway, and I firmly believe in the surgery’s success.’

Elena said: ‘I want people to stop pointing fingers at her so she doesn’t feel unhappy.

Millions of people donate to give 5 year old Darina a chance to smile


Millions of people donate to give 5 year old Darina a chance to smile


Millions of people donate to give 5 year old Darina a chance to smile


Darina with eldest brother

Thankfully Darina’s story of her struggle to smile and live normally was chosen by one of Russia’s largest charity funds called RusFond which helped to gather the whole amount. Pictures: Valeria Sukhova, Vera Salnitskaya

‘Darina is now old enough to understand everything. 

‘My mother’s intuition is it will be be a complete success. 

‘As soon as we started all the preparations for our trip - I immediately had a feeling of success.’ 

We hope and pray she is right. 

Good luck Darina!

Comments (19)

my heart and prayers are with you
joseph eitch king, kenya
07/10/2019 21:36
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MY NAME IS MAGNOLIA AND I HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO WAS BORN LIKE THE LITTLE DARINA, IT IS INCREDIBLE THE MATCH THAT EXISTS BETWEEN THEM, TODAY MY DAUGHTER ARANTZAZÚ IS 20 YEARS OLD AND WE JUST WANT TO KNOW DARINA AND HER PARENTS TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO US
HOW MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN FACING THE WORLD AND HOW WE HAVE HELPED HER. I WANT DARINA'S PARENTS TO SEE HOW THEIR DAUGHTER CAN SEE IN THE FUTURE.!!!!!!! ARTEJAZMIN2@GMAIL.COM
MAGNOLIA CASONI, sANTIAGO DE CHILE
14/08/2019 10:45
6
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God be with these great parents and this brave little girl and the medical team as they go through the process of restoring her beautiful smiling face. All will be well with thee angel of God...
Ozzie N Finley Sr., West Virginia, USA
13/08/2019 19:17
4
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GOOD LUCK KID !!!
ACHILLES, RETHYMNO,GREECE
26/07/2019 17:02
11
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All the best wishes to young girl and her parents. Hope everything goes well. We pray for her.
Karlo, Split/Croatia
25/07/2019 06:51
14
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God we pray for the loving parents of this young girl that You continue to strengthen them...we pray, also, to guide the hands of those caring for her medical condition....let every procedure be successful and please, please, God let all in her life be a witness of your greatness...Amen
Ozzie N Finley Sr., West Virginia, USA
18/07/2019 14:24
8
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God bless her and her parents and the people who raised the money to make this life changing surgery possible for her
Jim, Gold Coast / Australia
18/07/2019 06:37
10
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Bless those that aided this little girl and all those that support her loving parents. May God guide the hands of the medical staff and may this little girl be protected by all. I hope this publication will continue to discuss the progress and about the medical staff who are trying to help lessen this little girl's suffering. Perhaps this story will make people aware of how blessed they are and how fortunate they truly are compared to many others. May this make them more sympathetic and compassionate in their daily dealings with others. May this story teach us about charity and tolerance.
Fergus Boone, Lakeridge Virginia
08/07/2019 10:21
15
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Please keep us informed on her progress!!
Cho, Va/USA
08/07/2019 06:57
14
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This is where money from weapons and drugs should go! This is where scientists can do miracles and change lifes. Look at her: no one is immune, a small molecule can hit anyone from us and it is a random event if some of us get hit by such misfortune.
They can transplant hearts and arms - I beg that they can fix this little angel now, too!
Monk, Germany
29/06/2019 05:33
30
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Such a brave, bright little girl! All the very best wishes to her and her family, may the operation be a complete success and the world to see her sweet smile!
Mags, Cape Town, South Africa
29/06/2019 00:49
21
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LE DESEO EL MEJOR DE LOS EXITOS AL MEDICO EN ESTA OPERACION, Y MUCHOS BUENOS AUGURIOS A DORINA Y SUS PADRES.
GUILLERMO, ARGENTINA
28/06/2019 22:33
5
1
SIB TIME stay on that story and report o the SUCCESS of whatever operations are needed! And all the luck, Thumbs up and Likes for little Darina and her parents.
MORAK Benedikjt, Moscow
28/06/2019 18:35
20
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My heart goes out to her. Let us prey that the surgery improves her life. She’s s beautiful, courageous little girl. Hello
Andrew Philip Morris, Ankara
28/06/2019 17:46
19
1
Thank you Siberian times for sharing this history and making possible for them to find a doctor to help! I wish the best to this sweet beautiful girl and her family !
Isabelle, Fortaleza, Brazil
28/06/2019 05:32
21
1
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