The scrawny, blue-eyed boy was sent to Omaha from an orphanage in Ukraine after visiting doctors noticed he had some subtle but troubling physical ailments.

It took extra effort by the Ukrainian government, the U.S. Embassy, a nonprofit group in Virginia and the hospital, but Ruslan arrived last Friday.

One of the doctors who visited the orphanage several months ago, Charles Shaffer, had completed his residency at Creighton. He recommended that the 13-year-old Ruslan come to Omaha so his disorder could be identified.

Dr. Donald Frey, a family practitioner at Creighton, began testing Ruslan for infectious diseases or metabolic disorders, but the overriding problem that emerged was muscle weakness - particularly in his legs.

The eventual diagnosis: muscular dystrophy, an incurable disease that slowly saps a person's muscular strength. Tests next week will determine whether Ruslan has Becker muscular dystrophy, which often is milder, Frey said.

Meanwhile, hospital staff members have been caring for Ruslan by feeding him - he was malnourished at the orphanage - and helping him complete physical therapy to improve his muscular strength.

"He's a bright kid who I think is really going to contribute to society," Frey said, "if he is given an opportunity."

What will happen to Ruslan after he is discharged from Creighton, probably in a week, is uncertain. He eventually could return to Ukraine with the guardian and translator who traveled with him from the orphanage. He also could remain in the United States, particularly if a family wants to adopt him.

Frey thinks the latter will give Ruslan his best chance, because the orphanage doesn't have the funds to provide the consistent therapy and nourishment he will need.

Ruslan's mother gave up custody of him because she is mentally ill. His grandmother couldn't care for him, either, so he was sent to an orphanage.

His guardian, Elena Bejsiuk, was selected to travel with him because she was the only teacher at the 278-child orphanage in the Lugansk region who could translate for him.

Teacher and student had to look up the location of Omaha. Bejsiuk said Ruslan was excited about the trip and studied extra hard in recent months so he could tell the doctors that he had been doing well in school if they asked him.

There was some uncertainty about whether Ruslan would be allowed to leave. The Ukrainian Health Ministry took three months to decide whether Ruslan should receive a required document stating that he needed to receive care outside the country.

Bejsiuk, who has left her own husband and child at home to help Ruslan, said the leaders at the orphanage are extremely appreciative of the special attention given to the boy. Ruslan's trip was coordinated by Children Are Hope Inc. of Portsmouth, Va., which supports Ukrainian orphans.

Ruslan said through a translator that he appreciates all of the help. Highlights of the trip have been the abundance of food, especially fruit, and the Nintendo video-racing game that was wheeled into his room.

Said Bejsiuk, "He said he has won many races with many doctors here."

Reprinted with permission from the Omaha World-Herald.