Tonka, No Surrender!
Tonka is a 15-year-old GNK Dinamo fan who was diagnosed with an extremely rare disease of blood vessels in the brain. The disease caused Tonka to have strokes, and her body is permanently in a spastic state, and spasms, uncontrolled movements of her arms and legs cause her not only pain, but also restlessness.
The family of this wonderful girl tries to make the best out of a difficult situation and afford Tonka an easier and more dignified everyday life, but they often encounter various obstacles. Thus, while researching this disease, they found out about a neurorehabilitation suit that would help her in a way that would calm her down and relax her cramped body. They immediately arranged a trial period at Ottobock, and the results after just one use were fantastic. However, due to the rehabilitation costs so far, the family was not in a financial position to afford a suit worth approximately a little less than seven thousand Euros.
Tonka’s father decided to contact the No Surrender Foundation with a request for funding for the aforementioned suit, which would help her perform therapy in addition to her daily activities, while at the same time relaxing and calming her down. The foundation decided to approve this request, and on February 25, 2023, GNK Dinamo captain Arijan Adema handed over a neurorehabilitation suit to the girl Tonka.
“Thank you for everything! We cannot thank you enough for this donation. Tonka has enormous potential, attends the 1st grade of high school and is a very ambitious and cheerful person. This suit will not only make her everyday life easier and enable her to achieve in all fields, but it will also make it easier for us in the family who are involved in Tonka’s struggle every day.” said father Vedran after the handover.
When she saw Captain Ademi coming in to hand her the donation, Tonka just said briefly “I can’t believe it!” and excitedly looked at her father and sister.
She ended the short handover by saying that her father will bring her to one of the next matches of Dinamo.
Aris Limassol FC Social, Environmental, and Health Initiatives
