Begaiym is a mother of three children whose life changed with the birth of her youngest son Beknur, who suffers from microcephaly and epilepsy. Instead of asking for help, she decided to develop an online business to provide for her family alongside her husband. Every purchase of her products is not only support for her efforts but also an investment in her children's future.
Pregnancy and Early Challenges
Begaiym and her husband are raising three children: their eldest son is in the fifth grade, their daughter is nine years old, and the youngest, Beknur, is five and a half. The boy has been diagnosed with microcephaly and epilepsy with convulsive syndrome.
Beknur's pregnancy coincided with the coronavirus pandemic. At seven months, doctors noticed that he was not gaining weight by 300-500 grams and prescribed vitamins. At eight months, an ultrasound confirmed that his weight was still below normal.
Begaiym began to experience severe swelling, and during a routine check-up, high blood pressure was detected. She was urgently hospitalized in the fourth maternity hospital, where she was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia.
The doctors suggested a cesarean section, but the family decided to refuse. As a result, labor was induced the next day. The process turned out to be rapid, and at one point, the baby got stuck in the birth canal — the head was delayed until the doctor arrived. At birth, a hematoma was found on the parietal area, which could have led to suffocation.
Nevertheless, the baby cried, breathed on his own, and began to drink from a bottle — the medical staff assessed his condition as satisfactory. However, on the fourth day, he fell into a coma and remained in it for ten days. An ultrasound revealed a brain hemorrhage.
After coming out of the coma, Beknur breathed with the help of a machine for some time. On the 17th day, he was transferred to the children's pathology department. The family was able to return home only after a month.
A New Life: Sleepless Nights and First Smiles
The trials did not end there. Beknur began to have seizures and attacks, and he was twice admitted to intensive care. For several days, he did not eat or drink anything. His parents consulted various doctors, including specialists in alternative medicine.
Until he was eight months old, Beknur hardly slept at night. His father would sit with him until three or four in the morning, after which Begaiym would take over.
Unlike him, the older children grew up calm and rarely cried. Beknur, however, radically changed the life of the entire family. This year, he smiled for the first time, and this moment became a symbol of hope for Begaiym.
The youngest son loves communication and company. When guests arrive, he becomes lively. Walks and music, especially songs by Kyrgyz singer Bek Borbiev, bring him joy.
Today, Begaiym notes that her son has taught her to be strong and patient, as well as to appreciate small joys as great achievements. Even when he struggles, he strives for life — this has become her main motivation. Despite the constant worries, their home is filled with order and coziness.
Creating an Online Business to Support the Family
The family receives a government allowance of 8,000 soms, plus an additional 7,000 soms for care. This is not enough, so Begaiym works without distancing herself from her son.
She started engaging in online sales. In 2021, she mastered the skills of ordering goods from China. The markup on the products is minimal — only 200-300 soms. Earnings are inconsistent: for example, in January, it amounted to only a couple of thousand soms.
She has a group on WhatsApp, and some products are provided to her by acquaintances from the "Dordoy" market for sale. The assortment includes cotton two-piece suits made of boiled cotton (sizes 42-50, pants with elastic bands — convenient for moms with children) and toys.
Once, a toy seller gifted the family a cheerful frog. Begaiym shared this in her blog, and her followers began asking where they could purchase the same. As a result, the seller provided her with ten more frogs for sale.
Begaiym constantly thinks about what content to create and what video to record to increase sales. Her husband mainly helps her, and the older children sometimes watch Beknur for 2-3 hours.
The woman rarely complains. Even her phone is used productively — she studies in courses, looks for new opportunities, and always strives for development.
Support Through Purchases
Begaiym's main motivation is the future of her children. She does not want them to live in rented apartments, as they do now. In her childhood, she did not have the opportunity to attend courses and develop, but today there are more opportunities — learning English, IT fields, studying abroad — and she dreams that her children will have a choice.
Working online allows her to be close to her son and earn money. A standard schedule from 9 to 5 is impossible for her.
Begaiym runs a blog on social media, sharing her story, daily life, and the products she offers. She is open to collaboration with those who can provide goods for sale.
This support is not a fundraising effort but a chance to help through regular purchases: choosing the right product and supporting the work of a mother who balances caring for a special child and work.
Begaiym hopes that her story will give hope or strength to other parents raising children with special needs — this means that all of this is not in vain.
Begaiym's blog on Instagram — @mamabeknura
