1983: A LOOK BACK

A Ukrainian boy from Poland

It was quite a year for a 3-year-old Ukrainian boy from Poland. Rostyk Cylupa, whose left hand was crippled as a result of an accident, needed surgery if he was ever to regain use of the hand - such surgery was not possible in Poland, however.

The Ukrainian National Women's League of America took up Rostyk's case and contacted doctors in the United States to determine the feasibility of such an operation and conducted a fund-raising campaign in order to bring Rostyk and a parent to the United States.

Through the efforts of the UNWLA, the United States Catholic Conference and the American Red Cross, Rostyk and his father, Emil, arrived in New York on July 15. Arrangements had already been made for surgery at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J., with Dr. Lubomyr Kuzmak serving as the boy's primary physician and Dr. J.J. Keyser of the Peer Group for Plastic Surgery as the main surgeon. All medical services were rendered free of charge and Postyk underwent complicated reconstructive surgery on September 1.

While Rostyk was in the hospital he became the darling of the press and was interviewed by both The New York Times and the Daily News.

On September 3 he was released from the hospital and went to the home of Anna Koreneo to recuperate. The operation made Rostyk's left hand functional, but further surgery will be required for the boy to have a normal left hand. Meanwhile, Rostyk began a program of physical therapy and went sightseeing in New York City.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, December 25, 1983, No. 52, Vol. LI

| Home Page |