Today is the big day that Dr. Pasechnik and his staff have been preparing for months. From last night I knew that Dr. P had a lot on his mind and we are trying our best not to be a burden on him. He offered to pick us up in the morning, but we said we'd walk to the Centre from his apartment. Normally, even under the most challenging conditions they would not let us fend for ourselves, but he gladly acquiesced this time.

We got to the Centre for a 9:00 breakfast to be followed with an official welcoming at the Pavillion on the playground. Dr. P. is a little disappointed that some of the public officials that he had wanted to come are not here as they were for the first annual celebration as well as for the fifth anniversary. The British Ambassador declined to come as well as the wife of Ukraine's president. The head neurologist of Ukraine Martiniuk did come. The deputy governor of the oblast came, but after his opening comments and handing out a few awards he had to leave for Russia for a conference with Russian officials. The Russian border is less than one hour away. Chernihev oblast is Ukraine's northernmost province.

Short speeches of appreciation abounded. Award of all kinds were given to many many people. In our group, Beverly and Katherine were called up for awards for their work in supporting the work at the Centre and in the area. I received a medal from the Oblast Council signed and sealed (of course) by the head of the Council.

It was a day of celebrating the fruits of a center that opened ten years ago under the most difficult of circumstances and now has become a jewel and model of others.

The first patient named Anna was brought to the celebration in a wheelchair. She has cerebral palsy and was not able to care for herself at all, but after intensive treatment and rehabilitation, she is able to crawl, eat, smile and much more. She is 18 years old and was brought to the Center at age 8.

After all the speeches and awards (which thankfully were shortened due to the exodus of the public officials) we went over to the choreographic rehabilitation hall for a reception. Many former city officials that I had known from years past were there. These were out of office now, but all said they were just "taking a break." I was especially glad to talk to one person Yurij Boyko head of the Oblast Health Services. Then there was Oleg Bilousov former city councilman and a banker. Overall, it was good to become reacquainted with so many that we had met over the years of visiting the Center.

The day concluded with the "The Dinner." This is a festive dinner that is completely built around toasts after toasts after toasts after toasts. Each one is carefully assigned by who you are and what subject you will speak on. The first toast is to friendship, the second to children, the third to the ladies, the fourth to the men et al. Toasts provide an opportunity to express sincerely from the hear what you really think about someone or something.

Bev was assigned a toast to the children and she said beautiful words about children and their worth. I was assigned a toast to honor the ladies. Of course, there were several toasts for each of the categories mentioned.

The entire dinner took over three hours and people finally mingled outside. We got on the minibus that we bought for the Centre....this was our special gift for the 10th anniversary. It is a Russian manufactured vehicle that seats 20 children and allows room for 20 mothers to come to the Center.