u/Arsev_6360

I’m one of those who has to live here every day, with all the complications that come with it. My parents were little when the reactor exploded in 1986. They breathed in and ate contaminated food for years without knowing it. Because of that, I was born with Cardiopatia valvolare radio-indotta and Ipertensione arteriosa.

The radiation changed the DNA, so my thyroid doesn’t work right and my bones are fragile. I get a little bruised sometimes, but overall, I’m fine. ;-)

Feel free to ask me anything.

Hi reddit.

My name is Arsev Volkov and I’m one of those who was born in Belarus and has to live here every day, with all the complications that come with it. My parents were little when the reactor exploded in 1986. They breathed in and ate contaminated food for years without knowing it. Because of that, I was born with a series of genetic mutations and physical deformities in my legs and hands. The radiation changed our DNA, so my thyroid doesn’t work right and my bones are fragile. I get a little bruised sometimes, but overall, I’m fine.

I live here because I didn’t have a home. My mother died, and my father drinks.

Things are pretty tough. People here have to see many doctors all the time. Some even come here, I think, because the local hospitals just don’t have enough resources. If you call an ambulance today, it might take two days to arrive.

But the project brings surgeons from abroad to help us. They operate on the youngest kids who might never have a chance at a normal childhood because our hospitals lack the money and the right equipment. There aren’t many of these surgeons, but they come, and we have to make do with what we have.

Hi everyone)

I'm Arsev Volkov, and I live at a Chernobyl Children International youth center. Feel free to ask me anything about it.