For the first time in the history of Ukraine national team pre-match ceremonies, a child in a wheelchair brought out the player onto the field: 13-year-old Dzvinka Havrylishyn appeared on the pitch of the stadium «Suat de Valencia» before the game against Albania (1:0) with our national team half-back Ruslan Malinovskyi.

Photo: Dan Balashov

Dzvinka is from Lviv. She was born with a very rare genetic condition – congenital myasthenic syndrome, which affects muscle development and function. For many years in Ukraine, they could not get an accurate diagnosis, and the necessary medications were hard to obtain – especially since the start of the war in 2014. In 2015, her family decided to temporarily move to Spain.

Photo: Dan Balashov

That’s where Dzvinka received access to necessary medical assistance. Over the years, the girl underwent several surgeries: installation of hearing implants that allowed her to hear, as well as a complex spinal surgery with the installation of a metal structure (implant). From the very first day in Spain, Dzvinka attended a specialized school and, according to her father, eagerly awaits the next school day every evening.

Photo: Dan Balashov

Dzvinka’s brothers – 10-year-old Bohdan and 3-year-old Ivan – were born outside Ukraine. To keep their roots, the whole family joined «Plast»; the children were among the first scouts in Valencia. They gather every Saturday, study Ukrainian traditions and culture, go on hikes.

Photo: Dan Balashov

10-year-old Bohdan was also among those who brought out the players onto the field. The boy came out with our national team half-back Oleksiy Gutsulak. Bohdan has been playing football for over six years and plays as a goalkeeper.

The experience of going on the field was particularly emotional for Dzvinka. She reacted sensitively to the stadium atmosphere, spectators’ emotions, and events on the pitch. After the match, the girl told her father that she really liked being part of this day.

Photo: Dan Balashov

«For her, it was a vivid experience. She very sensitively perceives the atmosphere – people, support, stadium noise. After the match, she said that everything pleased her, especially... the national team of Albania’s uniform! For her, this is an experience she will remember for life,» – Dzvinka’s father Lubomyr Havrylishyn told us.