YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - He was born without legs, but after a visit to Youngstown in 2010 a 12-year old Russian boy received two prosthetic legs and now walks where ever he goes.
The young patient is back for a return visit and a leg "tune-up".
His name is Kolya and he's back at Youngstown Orthopedics for adjustments to his legs and a workout with physical therapist Ron Santiago.
Kolya is from an orphanage north of Moscow where he met Rev. Kathryn Adams and a group of volunteers from the Youngstown State University Campus Ministries.
"The orphanage doctor asked if we could help him in some way, Adams said. "We looked into it and found people who were willing to donate services. Youngstown Orthopedics was one of those organizations that did donate their services and so Kolya now has legs and a new life as a result."
Santiago says Kolya has adapted well to his legs and now even navigates stairs.
"Once he got up on the legs and got his balance together he was walking fine and did very well," Santiago said.
Kolya is happy to be out of his wheelchair and able to play with his friends and through his interpreter says he is grateful to everyone who helped him.
"Everybody is trying to help and he feels very special and very good about it and very thankful," said Kolya's interpreter Nelya Stepanides.
Even though his mobility is limited, Adams says Kolya is a big sports fan. He went to see a Phantoms hockey game Thursday night and we'll see the Harlem Globetrotters on Saturday.
Kolya will need more adjustments to his legs as he grows and says he looks forward to any future visits to Youngstown.
