By Veronica Corr
Back in June 2023, The Northern Standard ran a front-page story about a Latvian family who made Monaghan their home almost 25 years ago. This week, we caught up with Anastasija Sabanova, who wanted to give our readers an update on her son’s progress. A gifted seamstress, Anastasija runs Right Size Alterations in Market Street, Monaghan Town. She and her husband Alexandrs are overwhelmed by the support of the public towards the fundraiser held for their son Arseniy, both online and offline. The fundraiser has ended, and the couple simply cannot thank people enough for their kind donations, thoughts, and prayers.
A GoFundMe was set up and after taking a fee, GoFundMe transferred all the money raised into a special account set up for Arseniy’s treatment. It took a couple of years, but Arseniy, now aged ten, who has autism, was verbal but could not communicate previously, is now undergoing treatment to unlock his potential in Baku, Azerbaijan, at the Beer David Centre. The intensive series of specialist treatments he undergoes daily for two months costs €15,000. Flights, accommodation and living costs are covered by the couple themselves. Arseniy was originally meant to travel to Jerusalem for treatment, but the conflict in Isreal made it unsafe to do so.
The family travelled to Baku together, it was a 16-hour gruelling journey from their home in Newbliss. But it was worth it. Arseniy is going through a process where his brain is being unlocked. Anastasija said that he was no longer merely repeating what he had learned, he was thinking more and speaking less. His mother conceded that while this might appear to be a step backwards, it is a…
