Community Hero 2007
Yana Brichka
Living with the complications of Nijmegen breakage syndrome – a rare genetic disorder that affects about 1 in 100,000 children – would surely test the perseverance of most people. Not so for nine-year-old Yana. This youngster embraces life with unrelenting passion. Although her condition greatly impacts her ability to be as active as other kids her age, she doesn’t let that get her down. And she never complains, says her mother, Lyudmila.
What Yana is most crazy about are babies – all kinds of babies, whether animal or human – though she’ll quickly tell you that kittens and puppies receive her preferential treatment. The same could be said for her baby brother, who can always look to Yana for countless hugs and kisses.
Yana’s an earnest friend to others and a great student who loves her teachers. She’d eat pizza every day, if given the chance. And she likes only the cutest hair clips. She’s known for having a kind, compassionate character that touches the people she meets. “Yana is such a sweet girl. She has the softest nature.” For her family and friends, Yana remains a wonderful source of inspiration.
