From Northwest Corner to Russia, with love

   “Now I know God listens,â€� Nadezhda Pazova said, in Russian, summing up the kindnesses that have led to the end of nearly 30 years of suffering.

She fights back tears as she recalls the people who made the events of recent weeks possible. Sitting on the deck of Carl and Diann Franson’s Lime Rock home, she says she still has moments when she can’t believe she is in America and wonders if it is all a dream.

Her journey began last spring, with fundraising efforts and a very generous offer from a local company. It involved airfare, a visa to enter this country, a place to stay here and transportation to numerous appointments involved in custom-making a prosthetic leg for her.

Members of Sharon Congregational Church, where Franson served as pastor until his retirement last year, led the effort to raise thousands of dollars for airfare. Michael Brown performed in a benefit concert held at Canaan United Methodist Church.

Since Pazova arrived here Aug. 11, she has been staying in Cornwall Bridge with church member Pavel Kostyukov, a friend from her hometown in Russia, a small seaport city on the Sea of Japan.

From Russia to Torrington

The idea originated with Kostyukov’s sister back in Russia. He told her about the orthotic inserts he gets from Hanger Inc. in Torrington. She thought of Pazova, and wondered if they could help her.

They both knew Pazova’s story: part of her left leg was lost in a train accident when she was 25. Six months later, her husband left her and their young son. Years of struggle followed. In 2004, her son was murdered. Her mother died two years later, leaving her without family.

Back home, there was simply no opportunity to get anything beyond an ill-fitting artificial leg. It wrecked havoc on her stump, causing it to bleed after even a little exertion.

It was a downward spiral for the former model and art gallery worker, whose life was further depressed by the country’s economic climate.

“By sitting at home within four walls, you can’t change your life,� she said, with Kostyukov translating.

She understands quite a bit of English, but has trouble expressing herself in the language. She has much that she wants to say to everyone.

“I was surprised to the point of tears to have such an opportunity; that people I didn’t even know would give me this. It’s like a dream. They have made what I thought was unattainable happen.�

A flight risk

With the funds raised, the next hurdle was to get a visa from the United States consulate.

“They don’t like to let people in if they think they will defect,â€� said Kostyukov, who did just that as a  student who came here to Space Camp.

It was a lot of paperwork and travel to the distant consulate, and there was no reason to be optimistic given Pazova’s situation.

“She’s single with no family and  few ties because she can’t get out much. She would be considered a major flight risk,â€� Kostyukov said.

She showed the U.S. officials news stories of her plight and plans once she arrived here. In the end, she showed him what is left of her battered leg. The visa was quickly granted.

Her experience at Hanger in Torrington has been life affirming, she said, full of hope instead of humiliation. She goes at least twice a week to be properly fitted with a new, state-of-the art limb. The company is picking up the entire tab of about $10,000.

Kostyukov has been driving her to appointments, wedged in between his two job shifts at High Watch Farm in Kent. She gave an overview of the process. It began with a temporary leg, which provided immediate relief. Every day is a little better as the swelling is reduced and the constant injuries her old prosthetic caused begin to heal. With a silicone gel insert, she has found she doesn’t have to remove the leg for relief any longer.

Another company has agreed to supply a foot portion that will give Pazova some flexibility.

“The foot has springs so it can be adjusted and she can wear either flat shoes or heels,� Kostyukov explained, in amazement.

Embracing life, again

What’s the first thing Pazova wants to do when she returns to Russia Oct. 2?

“I want to go out dancing,� she said, a beautiful smile lighting up her face.

Kostyukov’s friend, Irina Itelman, said that Pazova has been able to continue to support herself by designing and sewing high-fashion clothing at home.

“There are not many jobs, and not many people who have the money to buy nice clothing, but she makes such beautiful things and she can sell enough to get by.�

Pazova is anxious to get home and revive her social life. At the same time, she does not want to leave her new friends and a part of the world she has fallen in love with.

“It’s so beautiful here. There is so much nature. I am amazed and surprised at how people care for their yards and fill them with flowers,� she said. “People are so wonderful here. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I wish everyone happiness, like the happiness I have experienced receiving this leg. It did not happen by chance. I wish everyone health, peace and sunshine, and that all their wishes may come true as well.�